Senator Barbara Boxer on Ellen Tauscher Nomination

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement on Representative Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), President Obama’s nominee to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security:

Mr. Chairman, Senator Lugar, I am proud to express my strong support for Representative Ellen Tauscher, President Obama’s nominee to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Article continues below...

As a fellow Californian and friend, I can say with confidence that President Obama couldn’t have picked a more qualified individual for the job.

Rep. Tauscher was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996, where she has tirelessly served California’s 10th Congressional district, located in the East Bay area of Northern California.

During her second term in Congress, she joined the prestigious House Armed Services Committee. As a member of this committee, and ultimately Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, she championed many of the issues she will be responsible for if confirmed.

In particular, Rep. Tauscher has been a constant advocate for stopping the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons across the globe. She has sponsored legislation to accelerate the clean-up of fissile and radioactive materials at vulnerable sites worldwide and to make our country less vulnerable to the threat of nuclear terrorism.

And as the Chair of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Subcommittee on Future Security and Defense Capabilities, Rep. Tauscher understands how important it is to address U.S. security interests from an international perspective.

If confirmed, Rep. Tauscher will advise the President and the Secretary of State on all matters pertaining to arms control, nonproliferation and international security issues.

Unfortunately, there is no doubt that we will continue to face significant challenges on a number of these fronts. Iran continues to enrich uranium in defiance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. North Korea recently conducted a second nuclear test and has terminated its participation in the Six Party Talks, heightening tension in Asia and around the globe.

The threat of biological and chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, and the sale of nuclear materials and technologies on the black market also remains of grave concern.

There are also vitally important treaties that need strong U.S. leadership. A new treaty is needed to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which is set to expire in December, 2009. And, the United States has yet to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which President Obama has said that his Administration will “immediately and aggressively” pursue.

I know that Rep. Tauscher will bring to this position the passion and dedication that has defined her career.

In closing, I am very pleased to support Rep. Tauscher’s nomination for this important post, and I hope that she will get a favorable vote from our Committee.

Thank you.

Source: Senator Barbara Boxer