Members of both the House and Senate have raised the question as the president appoints a replacement.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry has stepped down, and President Joe Biden appointed John Podesta to be Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. Members of Congress are suggesting that the new appointment requires Senate confirmation to fill the role.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee ranking member Shelley Moore Capito wrote a letter to the president stating that the terms of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 require confirmation of special envoys in the State Department.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, said in February, “Any appointed administration official that will heavily rely on State Department staff and resources should be accountable to congressional committees with jurisdiction over State, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the House and Senate as they raise concerns about circumventing official government processes for the installation of federal officials.
- For the president and his advisors as they respond to the legislators’ direction and oversight.
Sources: Reuters, The Hill
