Sen. Cruz Participates in Senate Foreign Relations Committee Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today participated in a nominations hearing where he questioned Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg, President Trump's nominee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, and Mr. Andrew P. Bremberg, the nominee to serve as the Ambassador to the United Nations Mission in Geneva. The hearing highlighted the strategic importance of our partnership with Colombia, and the power of dissidents in advancing human rights across the globe.

Watch Sen. Cruz's remarks here. The full transcript of his line of questioning is below.

Sen. Cruz: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations to each of you and your nominations. Mr. Goldberg, I want to ask you some questions about the opportunities and the challenges in Colombia. The country is our largest foreign aid recipient in the region. We've spent upwards of 10 billion dollars since 2000. And Colombia is our only NATO partner in Latin America. Nevertheless, there are a range of challenges that pose direct threats to American national security, from narco-trafficking to the cascading effects of what's happening in Venezuela. First, I want to ask you just very basically, what do you perceive as our national security interests and our objectives in Colombia?"

Hon. Philip S. Goldberg: "Well, I think there are a nexus of interests, Senator Cruz. One of them clearly is the drug problem. Another is what's going in Venezuela and the dangers that that represents to United States national security. There are possibilities and opportunities to move the process in Colombia forward. Part of the problem, as I was discussing with Senator Rubio, is that the Venezuela situation draws resources from what might be used for doing other things that are important on the peace process, on drugs; but the opportunity is the challenge that has always existed in Colombia, and something that we've worked throughout time--- at least the 30 years I've been involved with it. Trying to make sure that Colombia has the resources, and the training, and the military cooperation---the police cooperation, to extend the state and the state presence in larger parts of the country, so that there is more rule of law---there is more economic development. And those are all crucial factors in how Colombia can handle many of the problems that it faces at a much-reduced level thanks to everything that has happened in the last 20 years but still exists and that still need to be dealt with."

Sen. Cruz: "One of the many challenges in Colombia is the FARC remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under U.S. law. How does this impact our government interests, and how we interact with the government of Colombia now that FARC is politically represented?"

Hon. Philip S. Goldberg: "Well the FARC, Senator, has representatives in the Congress, in the Senate and the House, that were designated by the Peace Agreement. And so we, in dealing with the political situation, can have some contact. It would be very difficult in most interactions, especially when it comes to U.S. assistance, to deal with the FARC because it is still listed as a terrorist organization."

Sen. Cruz: "Mr. Bremberg, the Geneva post is always a challenging and delicate post for our diplomats. It's a place where enormous good work can be done to advance human rights, but unfortunately many of the UN's human rights organizations have been taken over by people with atrocious human rights records--- who don't particularly care about protecting human rights. How do you intend to navigate that challenge?"

Mr. Andrew P. Bremberg: "Thank you for the question, Senator. That's clearly something that the Trump administration has taken on headon. That's largely part of the reason why the administration withdrew from the Human Rights Council one year ago, last summer. And if confirmed, is why I wish to make advancing human rights one of my priorities in Geneva. The United States does not need to be a member of the Council to lead on human rights. Every country looks to the United States and our voice on human rights, and if confirmed, I commit to speaking on human rights in Geneva, building on the good work the mission has already begun to do. Recently, our mission in Geneva held a conference to highlight the gross human rights violations going on against Uighur's in China. It was quite disturbing to hear reports of the Chinese mission there threatening other multilateral missions, trying to prevent them from participating and attending, but that type of leadership on that and other human rights issues will be my priority if I'm confirmed."

Sen. Cruz: "Well, I certainly encourage you in that regard, and let me in particular encourage you the power of highlighting dissidents. Something I've tried to do in the Senate--of naming and shining a light on courageous heroes who stand up to oppression. And one of the most potent tools against tyranny, against human rights abuses, is telling the stories of these dissidents who risk everything. And that has enormous power, and it is something that tyrannies consistently fear."

Mr. Andrew P. Bremberg: "I certainly agree, and I believe the power that dissidents coming here to Congress and meeting with elected members, I think that's a great platform. I also think so many human rights activists come through Geneva specifically, and the importance of having a U.S. ambassador there that will meet with them, hear their concerns, and then give voice to that--- both publicly and then privately in bilateral conversations with other countries, I think is really important. And if confirmed, you have my commitment that I will do that. And I would just like to ask you and other Members of the Committee, that if there are individuals that you have already met with, or that you know are in Geneva, that would be important for us as the United States to highlight and speak to, then I would really look forward to working with you."

Sen. Cruz: "Terrific, I appreciate that. Thank you."

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