[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6084514,"mediaKeyId","2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de","parentId",2913969,"title","Nominee Brian Burch tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee he would deepen U.S.–Holy See partnership","audioSeconds",4063,"startMs",1339000,"endMs",5402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de&start=1339&end=5402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de/thumbnail_1339000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084514/Nominee-Brian-Burch-tells-Senate-Foreign-Relations-Committee-he-would-deepen-USHoly-See-partnership","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084514-4c6e724ae2f0f3b8f13117a3e72c35f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078875&Signature=a86tO-jz-ycEVltdL5Huv9lxRv8NHLlIx-W0cJo6d1Zl6fvXog-1tCMjkh6jZMfaNJTNSDWuoMu0U8O6k4-uk5PHntoCdFu52wnUmdTWy~C50crMlaWehG6K8jxaCKueyZ5p-JoFZz3W~FRxg~G4JcCjiJTr1DWVTrXVjHLDcbZKLZhvungTkg-w3EPLuxAG51kft1VeNqUikJTllQHHg62Wiy22qDi17BVwHanJY7HPMRRzc7SoiKk9emPgmzv6IE7BM4jP5hea5yHglcXGDBZN4kWMTOIEFsiWF-Dv8fH-Wa3ofoei7WI0W163Bm32WsbIP4R3-q-P3VplD14txg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Brian Burch, President Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 8, 2025, that he would work to “deepen this partnership” between the United States and the Holy See by focusing on humanitarian cooperation, religious freedom and dialogue on global conflicts.

The nomination hearing highlighted the Holy See’s global reach and moral influence as committee members pressed Burch on how he would explain and defend recent U.S. foreign assistance changes to Vatican officials and how he would approach the Vatican’s relationship with China. \"The relationship between the United States and the Holy See is both unique and vital,\" Burch said in his opening statement.

Burch said his background leading CatholicVote and years of engagement with faith leaders had prepared him to represent U.S. interests at the Vatican. \"If confirmed, my primary goal will be to deepen this partnership,\" he told the committee, adding that the Holy See’s moral witness can be a key partner on issues including religious persecution, human trafficking and humanitarian relief.

Senators asked Burch how he would respond to Vatican concerns after the administration reduced or restructured foreign assistance. Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen raised warnings from Catholic humanitarian organizations that cuts could cause humanitarian harm; Burch acknowledged the importance of those partners and said the State Department was reviewing grant alignments. \"I think the president and the secretary have addressed a long overdue problem within some of our foreign aid... that dollars have been going to places that are not aligned with United States interests,\" Burch said, adding he supported making aid decisions that advance the goals of making \"America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.\" He also told the committee he had discussed reauthorizations and reviews with Catholic relief organizations.

Committee members, including Sen. Pete Ricketts, pressed Burch on the Vatican’s 2018 provisional agreement with the People’s Republic of China and its 2024 renewal. Burch said the agreement centers on bishop appointments and recommended that the Holy See resist government control over church leadership. \"I would encourage the Holy See... to resist the idea that a foreign government has any role whatsoever in choosing the leadership of a private religious institution,\" he said.

Sen. Tim Scott asked how the ambassador could press the Vatican on urgent issues such as Americans held hostage in Gaza; Burch said the Vatican already has engaged on humanitarian concerns and that the Holy See can bring moral pressure and diplomatic tools to help seek a resolution.

Committee members recorded additional concerns about global religious persecution. Burch noted the decline in Christian populations in parts of the Middle East since the 1970s and said he would work with the Holy See to address persecution and displacement.

No committee vote or formal decision on the nomination was recorded during the hearing. The record will remain open until the committee-specified deadline for members to submit additional questions and support letters.

Ending: The hearing continued with two other ambassadorial nominees. The committee said it would accept written questions for the record through close of business April 9, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nomination Hearing: April 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Brian Burch, President Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 8, 2025, that he would work to \"deepen this partnership\" by prioritizing humanitarian cooperation, religious freedom and dialogue on global conflicts if confirmed.","taxTitle","Foreign Relations: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1994,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6084510,"Nicole McGraw says cultural and economic diplomacy would guide her tenure as U.S. ambassador to Croatia",1443,1625000,3068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de&start=1625&end=3068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de/thumbnail_1625000.jpg","/articles/6084510/Nicole-McGraw-says-cultural-and-economic-diplomacy-would-guide-her-tenure-as-US-ambassador-to-Croatia","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084510-4fd9e8fdd6218bee61604ece3325549c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078875&Signature=X9UE9i3z-sYG4qCYqFt3~M7BmrvNyxWlpHIdFBPxKMSzn~vsVZt2bHvPdXsXtvPrb1CiSMVUa3X5f~ceEdPOD~3VxhVjENqU6OKPKI1m9Qc0HNlVzlgY9-5U55OprFFWGqh4UzLtbo74GEazfr~1yUPXNCbbUnYm1K8v6pEMyZlXm7OXdar9FM4bqPRCkfNgduB7yxfDv3fA8S~V0aYsdjgEDaM7kKqSsWdHiZU1ern78-UgvG6NDUeEIcUWhzGwo-9lQ~9OHcdyBjKxC86QVoWMpTeyd0VM8Pl3jNgWkSGPUSJlSfp-YqWvSgm~IzCzUnOPnI9pa47bYvFuC2KmQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nicole McGraw, President Trumps nominee for U.S. ambassador to Croatia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 8, 2025, that she would emphasize economic and cultural diplomacy, security cooperation with NATO partners and support for regional energy integration if confirmed.

In prepared remarks and answers to senators questions, McGraw cited her background in public art, cultural diplomacy and private-sector innovation as relevant experience for the post. \"Founding canvas art charities ignited my passion for public service by demonstrating how cultural diplomacy and data driven public art can transform cities, drive economic growth, promote tourism, foster cultural education, and build vibrant communities,\" she told the committee.

Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen and other senators pressed McGraw about Croatias role in regional energy security and the stalled gas interconnector project that would link Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatian gas infrastructure. Shaheen asked whether McGraw would engage Croatia to prioritize construction of the interconnector and press Bosnian Croat political leaders who have blocked the project. McGraw said she would work with the U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia (Ambassador Murphy, as named in the hearing), and Croatian counterparts to advocate for completion of the southern interconnection, which she said would position Croatia to export LNG to the Western Balkans.

Senators also discussed possible use of sanctions on obstructing Bosnian leaders if they continue to block the project; McGraw said she had not been briefed as a private citizen but would review the matter and work with Congress if confirmed.

Committee members asked about Croatias Krk LNG terminal expansion (referred to in the hearing as the terminal doubling capacity) and whether U.S. energy suppliers and defense cooperation could help reduce regional dependence on Russian gas. McGraw recommended advancing U.S. investment and technology partnerships and highlighted opportunities for U.S. firms in Croatias ports, telecommunications and energy sectors.

No committee vote was taken during the hearing. The record remained open for additional written questions through April 9, 2025.","Nicole McGraw, nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Croatia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she would focus on economic and cultural diplomacy, security cooperation with NATO partners and supporting regional energy projects such as the Krk LNG expansion to reduce reliance on Russian gas.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6084512,"Border Patrol veteran Brandon Judd pledges to prioritize security, counter China if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Chile",3559,1720000,5279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de&start=1720&end=5279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2913969-37a23d1fa25ebe91ee27f8fb6ce397de/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6084512/Border-Patrol-veteran-Brandon-Judd-pledges-to-prioritize-security-counter-China-if-confirmed-as-US-ambassador-to-Chile","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084512-7c634833ddcd0a5004d1ee7cca79100e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078875&Signature=ICN9Sb5MZZvFkDBlO8v4MnuLeR6FeR2m3Ej3W-JD7tEa7ej6cGmdsShkr1IxLDQRMVYR057sSQpvZIrhe57x2OGqLVN6AhDgHDq0j-7hyvKZYRSC1M47zjZhya~a75AmEjSE6Jl-IBfSR0IbpRvzyXCpydW5sUo6Y1FmBCOD7M1zIwE7Y8ZJocw1hYAbKonDKL3QPocvi0nLCZn2ymyY5pX3UBtfnsH3o6XG7ruPmdvkd9JzdLC~rUchHI3AVGQlKbjZvPDwwOtdOwwmB0hJbrs8BFpvQhU9tjtUbqDVoffUuyEG3bDotkU-83HWH5bKOupN4ayf8KklFvntU6OOBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brandon Judd, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Chile, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 8, 2025, that he would make border security, curbing transnational criminal organizations and strengthening bilateral economic ties priority items if confirmed.

Judd, a retired U.S. Border Patrol official who served as president of the National Border Patrol Council, said his career experience on the U.S. border would inform efforts to deepen cooperation with Chile on illegal migration, organized crime and security. \"Make it a cornerstone of my ambassadorship to work with Chile to deepen our ability to work together in curbing illegal immigration, combating violent criminal organizations, and enhancing border security,\" Judd said.

Senators used the hearing to press Judd on two main themes: China’s growing economic presence in Latin America, including in Chile’s mineral sector, and how a U.S. ambassador should conduct himself during a foreign election year. Judd said Chile is a strong democracy and that the United States already has deeper, long-standing trade and research ties — including in Antarctica and astronomy — that the U.S. can leverage to remain Chile’s preferred partner. He warned that China views South America as a \"soft landing spot\" and said the U.S. must offer competitive economic opportunities to prevent overreliance on Chinese investment.

On the question of elections, ranking member Jeanne Shaheen asked whether Judd would avoid any perception of interfering in Chilean elections. Judd committed to not influencing foreign elections and said the ambassadors role is to support Chilean democracy and economic opportunity, not to favor particular candidates.

Senators also discussed Chiles strategic mineral resources — notably lithium — and the role of U.S. firms. Judd noted that a substantial share of Chilean lithium production went to China in the prior year and argued the United States should expand U.S. private investment and trade ties to provide Chile better partnership alternatives.

Judd did not receive a committee vote during the hearing; members were told the record would remain open through the committees deadline for questions for the record.

Ending: The committee moved to additional questioning of other nominees; letters of support and answers to written questions will be added to the record through April 9, 2025.","Brandon Judd, a long-serving U.S. Border Patrol official and President Trumps nominee for ambassador to Chile, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he would focus on border security cooperation, countering transnational criminal organizations and addressing Chinese economic influence in Chile if confirmed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nominee Brian Burch tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee he would deepen U.S.–Holy See partnership

Nicole McGraw says cultural and economic diplomacy would guide her tenure as U.S. ambassador to Croatia

Border Patrol veteran Brandon Judd pledges to prioritize security, counter China if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Chile