[{"_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",6141997,"mediaKeyId","5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef","parentId",5569017,"title","Senate committee presses management nominee on passport, visa backlogs and staffing after recent 'riffs'","audioSeconds",1320,"startMs",1704000,"endMs",3024000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef&start=1704&end=3024","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef/thumbnail_1704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6141997/Senate-committee-presses-management-nominee-on-passport-visa-backlogs-and-staffing-after-recent-riffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141997-11ef97a5d91c7a1ed04d302f3e12094f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=H60P7DCelLClfyWZ30OTOP8T2Dd32uSZx~S4IzOlu8lBzXQ2pGUu~-tZGmM4Fpaw~xqCwZMJdesn-xgG0Iadh8sT8B3W8mWUdnkbfGMdoTHhdKBhugjHeGMvjgWkTWFnXV2J2q~01RNLIIhnFjbPeG9w-GbHBjmnjLJ-5s8cKf6IdTXl~vtXBOIREWJxiiXFMXKNpodUC993T4ZhYt1lTJ0FV2tQYHyQQu2p~ByTyiQfRKKWoP3qAyH4y6RjrQs0qKAFCrP-tTjXbjh5qpJ9qRQs8tL6krxWikOYrfSqRK5qMKZbxj6l1aZSSNyH3iXEPsXrQc244ROpeF9JzMma7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","Senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pressed the administration’s nominee for undersecretary for management on July 22 about consular operations, staffing at the National Passport Center and National Visa Center, and the status of Afghan special immigrant visa (SIV) processing.

Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen framed the issue in constituent terms, saying the Bureau of Consular Affairs “issues passports to Americans” and “processes visas for foreign nationals,” and calling attention to long passport turnaround times after the COVID‑era travel surge. Shaheen noted both centers are located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and that the National Visa Center processed “more than 400,000 visas last year” while the National Passport Center issues “approximately 2,000,000 passports each year.”

Mister Evans, the nominee for Undersecretary for Management, acknowledged those operational pressures and described the management portfolio he would oversee: the bureaus responsible for diplomatic security, overseas buildings operations and medical services. Evans said a priority would be to “ensure CA has the personnel and resources needed to effectively fulfill its missions.” On recent department reductions, Evans said they had “hit me personally as well” and acknowledged the need to “repair the damage that was done through the rifts last week.”

When asked about the Afghan SIV program, Evans said he had served in Afghanistan and was familiar with the SIV process but did not have the current processing status; he committed to “look into that and bring back some answers to the committee” if confirmed. Senator Shaheen specifically requested a briefing from Evans on SIV processing and said the committee has treated those visas as a bipartisan priority to protect Afghans who supported U.S. forces.

Several senators pressed Evans on civil service and foreign service evaluation reform. Evans said he favors a broader review process that goes “beyond whether or not someone can write a one‑page statement” and told senators he plans to “take a whole of candidate approach” when examining promotions and assignments.

On security posture, Evans reiterated that “there is no greater responsibility than safeguarding those who serve our nation abroad,” and said he would work to ensure the Department’s protective and medical services are resourced. The nominee declined to provide immediate operational metrics but agreed to follow up with the committee on the Afghan SIV status and other specifics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nomination Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Senators on July 22 pressed the administration’s nominee for Undersecretary for Management about passport and visa backlogs, specialized staffing and paused Afghan special immigrant visa processing.","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},6142002,"Senate Foreign Relations Committee questions four Trump nominees on consular operations, NATO ties and Latin America",5994,1081000,7075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef&start=1081&end=7075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","/articles/6142002/Senate-Foreign-Relations-Committee-questions-four-Trump-nominees-on-consular-operations-NATO-ties-and-Latin-America","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142002-901bd1b2fce6266fc69471bb8e74285c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=RCGmH~oHZB50fyyi~Pik5bu24w9tI2QUEVVibpH9V4rQcmilXCJ~991Lj1eprySXyGdJJQnQWLdwkA2mq7TroMv9KWfaF~oN~rDt~sPVT8Rxgugngq4yWvBGcsdi3ZvswXFu5yr~O9Ab5Ct~MqBltMkILCaWQJO7QJ4oBsTNopDtUzAi747JtIp4CMcO2p-Wq2QxrUiNZRJJ8vcZuGb6bE~UrRDrV87uEtDkoZ46Ti7n77zNuB5Oj~vmyVTWrFigKhxeriLdSos2GlKY2mAILXKdKDluL~U5JGwHOt1fvQG8vb88oA69n7~ZwkAoXlSd2BvpjDlwUsPlT4McUYc8Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened July 22 to consider four administration nominees: the president’s pick for undersecretary for management and three ambassadorial nominees to Poland, Belgium and Argentina. Chairman Jim Risch opened the hearing and said the nominees “will be charged with…furthering” core bilateral relationships and with key management responsibilities at the State Department.

The hearing’s central issues included consular operations and passport and visa processing, the State Department’s recent personnel reductions, transatlantic defense spending and NATO burden sharing, and U.S. economic and security competition with China in Latin America.

In his opening statement, Chairman Risch emphasized Belgium’s role as host to the NATO and EU headquarters and pressed the nominees to strengthen alliances and collective security. Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen flagged consular services as a top constituent concern, saying the Bureau of Consular Affairs “issues passports to Americans” and “processes visas for foreign nationals,” and asked nominees to address backlogs and staffing at the National Passport Center and the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Mister Evans, the nominee to be undersecretary for management, described the portfolio that he would lead as spanning “13 bureaus and offices” including diplomatic security, overseas building operations and medical services. He told the committee, “My priority is to ensure every person we send overseas is protected from harm.” Evans said he would review how foreign service officers are evaluated and assigned and pledged, if confirmed, to “ensure CA has the personnel and resources needed to effectively fulfill its missions.” When asked about the Afghan special immigrant visa (SIV) program, he said he was familiar with the process from prior duty in Afghanistan and committed to brief the committee after reviewing current status: “If confirmed, I will be happy to…look into that and bring back some answers to the committee.”

Tom Rose, the nominee to be ambassador to Poland, framed Poland as a “frontline state” and pledged to press U.S. priorities while respecting Polish sovereignty. He said Poland “is our strongest ally in Europe” and described himself as prepared to “advance President Trump’s demand for policies that protect and promote American interests.” Senators probed him on political neutrality after prior commentary; Rose affirmed he understands an ambassador’s role to work with all political parties “Of course, I understand that,” he said.

Bill White, the nominee to be ambassador to Belgium, highlighted economic and defense ties between the two countries, citing bilateral goods trade figures he described as roughly $74.8 billion annually and saying the Port of Antwerp moved about 17 million metric tons of U.S. goods. White told the committee he would push Belgian partners on energy and defense cooperation and said he would prioritize the safety of U.S. citizens in Belgium. Senators questioned him about social‑media posts that criticized U.S. state officials and the retweeting of foreign accounts; White said he removed some posts and offered to refrain from commenting on Belgian internal politics if confirmed.

Dr. Peter Lamellas, the nominee to be ambassador to Argentina, recounted his immigrant background and private‑sector experience and said he would promote U.S. trade, investment and cooperation on security issues. He addressed congressional concern about China’s influence in Latin America and said he would press Argentina on non‑tariff trade barriers and intellectual property protections to encourage U.S. investment. On Argentina’s 1994 AMIA (Argentine Israelite Mutual Association) bombing, Lamellas said he would support Argentine efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible and pledged to work with Buenos Aires on accountability efforts.

Committee members asked all nominees about implementation risks and congressional priorities. Several senators raised the recent personnel “riffs” (reductions in force) at the State Department and asked how the department would restore morale and preserve specialized consular and cyber expertise. Evans acknowledged the impact of recent personnel moves and said “we have to sort of repair the damage” and “put the people where they need to be.”

The committee left the record open for additional questions and documentary submissions; Chairman Risch closed the hearing by thanking nominees and their families.","The Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened July 22 to consider four administration nominees: the president’s pick for undersecretary for management and three ambassadorial nominees to Poland, Belgium and Argentina.",{"_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},6141990,"Senators press two nominees on social media remarks and pledge to remain apolitical if confirmed",625,3774000,4399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef&start=3774&end=4399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5569017-458de6a92cc44cef5e611fdd5dd127ef/thumbnail_3774000.jpg","/articles/6141990/Senators-press-two-nominees-on-social-media-remarks-and-pledge-to-remain-apolitical-if-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141990-8c759a2bf3fbfaaf15e45cf48120ff34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=lS1j3cv3tzwllyWwS~R1DxkUTAO1gzCqqkNRz7XJxIUvs3pg6cZULDBnGMrXfyg7eSLYKHCnTGoOZzhs6IgoqltFshdTKgO54iWZFCsfXrZaURyXLZFkgJS8A0hC9fFEf3rThHwY~ukzC7s1VoitGDvxXrh8I-D23pfoFO1qKHOLmxbB9o64bfy5t5gWmsqy62HxE-g~O7p0vznTgOml~2TFsuIu0TOgPXd3pCSqltRXx25y0uZE6qeqddETZthWbyrZZE0DGQqMnHg2~XfC0SKSq1T2bL0OQ6dyksuq5lLVW6KPGHRZAeZVg0HcyICkHFR~qGmvAvP7Zsr1SegUJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several senators pressed ambassadorial nominees about past political commentary and social media activity and asked whether nominees would remain neutral if confirmed.

Senator Kane presented tweets and retweets attributed to Bill White that criticized Georgia state officials and amplified posts from a convicted far‑right Belgian account. Kane asked whether such posts demonstrated judgment appropriate for an ambassador; White said he did not recall those tweets as his and that “the tweet was removed,” adding he would not participate in tweeting about internal Belgian politics if confirmed: “I will not be participating in tweets about internal Belgian politics.”

Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen raised concerns about comments by Tom Rose and asked whether he would commit to working with all political parties in Poland if confirmed. Rose replied, “Of course, I understand that,” and also said he would “be a forceful advocate for the president and his agenda” where U.S. interests are engaged.

Senators said the committee expects ambassadors to maintain impartial engagement with host‑country political actors while also advancing U.S. policy. Nominees offered commitments to abide by those diplomatic norms if confirmed; senators submitted the contested social‑media posts for the record.","Senators questioned Bill White and Tom Rose about politically charged social media posts and public statements. White said some tweets were removed and pledged not to weigh in on Belgian internal politics if confirmed; Rose said he understands an ambassador must work with all parties but also pledged to advocate for U.S. interests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee presses management nominee on passport, visa backlogs and staffing after recent 'riffs'

Senate Foreign Relations Committee questions four Trump nominees on consular operations, NATO ties and Latin America

Senators press two nominees on social media remarks and pledge to remain apolitical if confirmed