About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democratic Members' Letter to Risch re: Request to Convene Hearings Whistleblower Complaint on Ukraine (Kelly Smith, comp.) [1] (10/9/2019)

handle is hein.presidents/usgvtwht0082 and id is 1 raw text is: Octcber 9, 2019 The Honorable James E. Risch Chairman United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee 423 Dirkscn Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 10 Chaimnan Risch: We vrite regarding tis Committee's critical oversight role over mattenz of foreign policy. Over the last week, serious allegations have arisen regarding the President's interactions with President Zelensky involving U.S. foreign assistance and a key bilateral relationship. As the American public continues to understand and examine the facts for themselves, we write to ensure that this Committee does the same. The Foreign Relations Committee has an obligation to examine the serious questions raised by these events, As the Committee charged with jurisdiction over U.S. foreign policy, it is incumbent on us to understand fully all the facts. including the circumstances surrounding the delay in US. security assistance to Ukraine, the early departure of the U.S. ambassador to Kyiv. the Department of State's role in these matters, as well as the implications these events may have on U,.S-Ukraine relations, and U.S foreign policy more broadly. Recent revelations that the Secretary of State himself listened in on the President's July 25 call with President Zelensky adds to questions about the Department's role and only underscores the Committee's need to conduct oversight, To that end, we call on you to promptly convene hearings and use all available Committee tools to fully examine these matters. At a minimum, this must include hearings with he Secretary of State as well as key Department officials who were involved in Ukraine policy or had interactions with or related to Ukrainian officials. We look forward to working with you on a bipartisan basis to fulfill this Committee's oversight role, and to continued engagement on these issues. Sincerely. Benjamin L. Cardin Ranking Member United States Senator