VIDEO: Hirono Delivers Remarks in Support of Nomination of Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta on the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of the nomination of Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta to serve as Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues and condemning Republicans’ continued obstruction of her nomination. For months, Republicans blocked consideration of Dr. Gupta’s nomination because she supports the right to access abortion care, endangering the health and safety of women in the U.S. and around the world.

“Dr. Gupta has spent her life working to empower women across the globe,” said Senator Hirono in her remarks. “But for months now, Republicans have blocked consideration of her nomination. Why? Not because she is unqualified. Dr. Gupta’s record is impeccable and her qualifications are clear.”

“Republicans are blocking her nomination simply because she supports the fundamental right of all women to make decisions about their bodies and their futures, including the decision to get an abortion,” Senator Hirono continued. “Apparently, it’s no longer enough for my Republican colleagues to push their extreme anti-abortion agenda. Now that they’ve overturned Roe v. Wade, they are opposing anyone who even expresses support for abortion access.”

In her remarks, Senator Hirono also highlighted the threat this GOP opposition poses to the health and safety of women in the U.S. and around the world, and urged Republicans to end their baseless obstruction.

“My Republican colleagues raise concerns about the state of women and girls in Afghanistan. And yet, in another example of their hypocrisy, they are opposing a nominee who would be in a position to actually help support these women,” said Senator Hirono. “As Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues, Dr. Gupta will bring decades of experience to empower women, improve their economic security, and end violence against women and girls.”

Senator Hirono’s full remarks are below and can be viewed here.

M. President, I rise today in support of Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta’s nomination to serve as Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues. And I’m glad to be here with my friend from New Hampshire to argue for her confirmation.

As head of the State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, the Ambassador-at-large leads our diplomatic efforts to promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world. Who can argue with that kind of a mission? From supporting women’s economic participation to combatting domestic and gender-based violence, this work is critically important, and Dr. Gupta is well suited to take on this important task.

Dr. Gupta has spent her life working to empower women across the globe. She has led several non-profit organizations focused on advancing gender equity, and has served as co-Chair of the World Bank’s Gender-Based Violence Task Force. But for months now, Republicans have blocked consideration of her nomination. Why? Not because she is unqualified. Dr. Gupta’s record is impeccable and her qualifications are clear.

No, Republicans are blocking her nomination simply because she supports the fundamental right of all women to make decisions about their bodies and their futures, including the decision to get an abortion. Apparently, it’s no longer enough for my Republican colleagues to push their extreme anti-abortion agenda. Now that they’ve overturned Roe v. Wade, they are opposing anyone who even expresses support for abortion access, even if it’s their personal views and not one that they are going to be pushing forward in the position that we are being asked to confirm them for.

Last year, the Republicans did the same thing to President Biden’s nominee to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)—opposing his nomination because of their opposition to SBA’s totally lawful PPP loans to Planned Parenthood clinics providing critical health care to communities across the country. The Republicans, I have to say, have been on a tear about, ‘How dare the SBA provide these lawful PPP loans to Planned Parenthood?’ Apparently it escapes their notice that these are lawful loans.

So, Republicans’ opposition to Dr. Gupta’s confirmation is a dangerous position, and one that threatens the health, safety, and prosperity of women here in the United States and around the world. For example, my Republican colleagues raise concerns about the state of women and girls in Afghanistan. And yet, in another example of their hypocrisy, they are opposing a nominee who would be in a position to actually help support these women.

As Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues, Dr. Gupta will bring decades of experience to empower women, improve their economic security, and end violence against women and girls. There is no legitimate reason for anyone to not support her nomination to this important role. The chaos and fear across the country generated by the Supreme Court’s Roe decision is spilling over to block this nomination.

I thank Senator Shaheen for her focus on Dr. Gupta’s nomination and her dedication to women and girls at home and abroad. And I urge my Republican colleagues to do the right thing for a change and end their bad-faith obstruction of Dr. Gupta’s nomination.

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