Gets Senate approval????

Trump's pick for top envoy to the U.N. gets Senate approval

By LAUREN GARDNER

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft to become the top American envoy to the United Nations, despite criticism from some Democrats that she lacks the experience needed for the key diplomatic position and was routinely absent from her post in Ottawa.

The full chamber approved her nomination by a vote of 56-34. Craft was backed by five Democrats — Maggie Hassan (N.H.) Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) — along with all Republicans present for the vote.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) had implored senators on Tuesday night to oppose Craft. He argued she lacks the proper qualifications for the high-profile diplomatic role and that the extent of her absences from Canada — amounting to more than half her tenure — were an abdication of her responsibility to represent the U.S. in that country.

At Craft's June confirmation hearing, Menendez disclosed that she had been absent from her post for more than 300 days, based on information she had provided.

Menendez also took issue with the presence of Craft's husband, billionaire coal magnate Joe Craft, at a minimum of four meetings with U.S. or Canadian energy and environment officials.

"Ambassador Craft’s lack of experience, her dereliction of duty and excessive absences in Ottawa, and her unwillingness to address potential conflicts of interest render her unfit to serve as our ambassador to the United Nations," Menendez said on the floor Tuesday.

On the Senate floor on Wednesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Craft's work in Canada and relayed endorsements of her skills by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and a former Canadian ambassador to the U.S.

"During her tenure as ambassador to Canada, America’s relationship with our northern neighbor was tested. A number of challenging policy hurdles threatened to trip up progress on several important issues, including trade negotiations," said McConnell, who recommended the Kentucky native for the U.N. post and has received campaign contributions from Craft and her husband. "But by all accounts, Ambassador Craft’s involvement led to greater cooperation."

POLITICO reported in June, ahead of Craft's confirmation hearing, that officials in the U.S. and Canada considered her an absentee ambassador. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration records showed her family's private jet had made frequent flights between the U.S. and Canada during a 15-month span of her tenure.

State Department officials acknowledged her frequent travel outside of Canada but attributed much of it to the demands of renegotiating a North American free trade pact. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer led those talks for the Trump administration.

Committee Democrats continued to dig into her tenure in Ottawa as the panel vetted her nomination. On Wednesday they posted a report detailing their investigation into Craft's ambassadorship. POLITICO previously reported many of the findings regarding Craft's travel.

The report argued that while the Senate previously determined Craft would make a "fine emissary" for the U.S. in Canada, committee Democrats believe she "lacks the qualifications" necessary to serve in a position "crucial to the security of the United States and the world."

"This appointment also comes at a time of increased hostility towards the United Nations and multilateral institutions more broadly. The president has spoken disparagingly about the role of the body itself," the committee Democrats' report said, adding: "Balancing the views of this administration while effectively participating in the work of the U.N. is a challenging task for even the most skilled of diplomats. For a diplomatic novice, it risks being an insurmountable hurdle."

The Trump administration has yet to nominate someone to succeed Craft in Ottawa.