WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Senator Capito met with Congresswoman Stefanik in November 2024 shortly after President Trump announced her nomination.

Click here to watch Senator Capito’s introductory remarks, and see below for a transcript of Senator Capito’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

Senator Capito’s introductory remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below:

“I would like to thank Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Shaheen for allowing me to be here today.

“And congratulations to both of you on your new positions on this committee.

“It’s truly an honor to be here and to introduce someone who I admire greatly.

“The job she has been selected to carry out for President Trump is not an easy one—but it is extremely important.

“In its early formation, it was believed that the United Nations required U.S. leadership in both its creation and in the actual business of the organization—to prevent conflict and to advance freedom.

“But lately, when many of us 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.

“We see rampant antisemitism against the world’s only Jewish state as it faces attacks from all directions.

“We see oppressive, aggressive autocrats celebrated and elevated to leadership positions.

“We see China, Russia, and Iran empowered at this organization to advance their values, not the values of peace and freedom that Americans stand for. 

“It’s clear that we need to reestablish U.S. leadership at this broken institution, and I cannot think of anyone more qualified or more ready to fulfill that role than my friend, Elise Stefanik.

“I’ve known Elise for several years during her career in public service, and I’m excited to highlight her qualifications for the important role to which she has been nominated.

“As a member of the House of Representatives, she has shown remarkable leadership.

“As a member of both the Armed Services and Intelligence committees, she has shown an exceptional command of national security issues.

“Elise understands the dangerous world and the growing threats that our country faces, and she has the strength and skill to reassert U.S. leadership on the world stage—a world stage that needs moral clarity and leadership more than ever.

“Elise has shown that moral clarity by exposing antisemitism on our college campuses.

“She has shown that moral clarity by posting on social media every single day about the innocent hostages taken by Hamas during their horrific attacks on October 7th, more than 450 days later.

“The United Nations is a tough place, but Elise has never backed down from a challenge.

“At the time of her first congressional election, she was the youngest woman elected to Congress in U.S. history.

“She went on to become the youngest woman ever to serve in elected House leadership.

“And she will confidently and skillfully execute for President Trump and for the American people at the United Nations.

“Additionally, on a personal level, Elise is a good mother, wife, daughter, and friend.

“Her steady hand and genuine caring nature, combined with her fierce intellect, will bring exactly that person President Trump and our nation needs at the United Nations.

“I look forward to voting to support her when I have the chance, and I thank all of you for the opportunity to have her before you today.

“Congratulations.”

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