WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was pressed at her confirmation hearing on why she was away from her current post as envoy to Canada for more than 300 days since taking the job in October 2017.
Kelly Craft, a prominent donor to Trump's 2016 campaign, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that she was frequently working on the road and that the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa was always staffed in her absences. She also said all of her travel was preapproved by the State Department.
Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the committee's top Democrat, said he had "deep reservations" about Craft's "lack of qualifications for such a complex and challenging role" and demanded a breakdown of where Craft went during her time away from Ottawa. While donors to presidential campaigns regularly get plum diplomatic jobs, the U.N. post historically goes to people with extensive government experience.
"Historically, U.S. ambassadors to the U.N. have brought significant executive experience, or experience working directly in foreign policy," Menendez said.
Craft pushed back on questions about her experience, saying she would have a "very deep bench" at the U.N. and vowing to be available "24/7" if confirmed to replace former Ambassador Nikki Haley, who left in December. Republican Sens. Johnny Isakson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio all sought to defend Craft's absences.
Asked about her priorities at the U.N. if confirmed, Craft said she would focus on human rights and promised to confront Russia over issues where the two nations disagree. In a shift from previous statements that cast doubt on evidence for climate change, Craft _ whose husband, Joe Craft, is the chief executive officer of a coal company _ came out quickly in her opening statement to declare that "climate change must be addressed."
Later in the hearing, she said, "I do believe fossil fuels do play a role in climate change." She also said she'd recuse herself from issues at the U.N. involving coal.
In a powerful sign of Republican support for her nomination, Craft was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, a family friend from her home state. Barring unexpected revelations, Craft's nomination is expected to be approved by the committee and confirmed by the full Senate, both controlled by Republicans.
Craft, 57, is Trump's second pick to replace Haley. The president's initial choice, former State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, withdrew from consideration in mid-February after the White House learned that she previously employed an immigrant nanny who entered the country legally but wasn't authorized to work.
