WASHINGTON – Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez has issued a scathing rebuke to Sen. Rand Paul’s move to block more than 60 State Department nominees as Paul seeks information from the Biden administration about the origins of Covid-19.
The statement, first obtained by NBC News, does not specifically mention Paul, R-Ky., by name, but calls a member’s «blatant refusal» to advance to the nominees «unacceptable.»
Menendez, DN.J., says Paul’s move «jeopardizes our country’s national security and global influence.»
“I call on the members of this body who generally refuse to confirm the nominees to stop playing games with our national security. It only undermines our national security and our ability to compete with the People’s Republic of China,» Menendez said in the statement, using the abbreviation of the People’s Republic of China.
Paul has blocked State Department nominees in an effort to «access COVID-19 documents that are in the hands of various government agencies that fall under the jurisdiction of the committee on foreign relations,» a spokesperson for Paul previously told NBC.
The spokesperson said Paul would oppose the nominees unless Menendez «stop obstructing oversight efforts.»
In his statement, Menendez said that strengthening the «US diplomatic posture around the world, remaining competitive against the PRC, and disrupting Beijing’s growing diplomatic advantage are goals that must share broad bipartisan support across the Senate.»
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying confirmation delays are «undermining our national security.»
He said that of the 62 nominees currently in the nomination process, 38 have completed all other steps and are awaiting Senate confirmation, and 35 of those 38 are career Foreign Service officers, some whose nominations have languished in the Senate for more than 18 months.
“I respect and value your critical oversight role. It is crucial to ensure that we have highly qualified people representing America around the world. But that’s not what’s happening here,» Blinken said Monday. “No one questions the qualifications of these career diplomats. They are being blocked to influence other unrelated issues. It is irresponsible and it is damaging our national security.»
Blinken added that his team has worked «extensively» with Paul.
“We have provided documents and other information that he requested. But unfortunately, he continues to block all of our nominees,” Blinken said.
julia jester contributed.