Senate Committee Approves Nomination of Karen Hughes

On July 26, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to approve the nomination of Karen P. Hughes as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. On July 22, Ms. Hughes testified before the committee, and in her testimony, she stated that her work as Under Secretary would be guided by four strategic pillars she calls “the four Es”: engagement, exchanges, education, and empowerment. With regard to exchanges and education, Hughes remarked, “We need to engage more vigorously…We need to make our exchange programs even more strategic” and “We want more American young people to study and travel abroad.” In his opening statement, Chairman Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) applauded the nomination of Ms. Hughes, remarking that “Public diplomacy is a national security function of the highest magnitude”, and he pledged the committee’s support in ensuring that her position “has the power, the funding, and the political support required to do the job.” Her nomination now goes to the floor of the Senate for full consideration.

To view Ms. Hughes' prepared statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, access: http://www.state.gov/r/us/2005/49967.htm

To view Chairman Lugar’s statement, access: http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2005/hrg050722a.html

**UPDATE: Her nomination was approved by the full Senate on Friday, July 29, by voice vote.

Updated August 1, 2005