West Virginia Sen. Capito introduces Stefanik at hearing for U.N. ambassador post

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., introduced President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations to the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Tuesday.

Capito, the fourth-ranking member of the GOP Senate leadership, spoke warmly about her “good friend” Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and said she is well-suited for the role.

“The job she has been selected to carry about for President is not an easy one,” Capito said. “But it is extremely important.”

Capito, along with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark, who also spoke on Stefanik’s behalf, described how the U.N. has strayed from its original mission.

“Lately, when many of look at the United Nations — this body that is meant to advance values of peace and freedom and human dignity — we don’t see those American values reflected,” she said. “It is clear that the need to reestablish U.S. leadership at this broken institution. We need to do that. I cannot think of anyone more qualified or more ready to fulfill that role than my friend Elise Stefanik.”

A Harvard graduate who later served in the administration of President George W. Bush, Stefanik was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014 at the age of 30.

“She will confidently and skillfully execute for President Trump and all of the American people at the United Nations,” Capito said.

Trump announced his intention to nominate Stefanik as U.N. Ambassador shortly after the November election.

“Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter,” he said in post on his Truth Social platform. “She graduated from Harvard University, with honors, was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, and is the highest ranking woman in Congress, as the House Republican Conference Chair. She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me, and has always been a staunch advocate. Elise is a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and led the charge against antisemitism on college campuses. She will be an incredible Ambassador to the United Nations, delivering Peace through Strength and America First National Security policies!”