Committee questions three undersecretary nominees on arms control, public diplomacy and workforce priorities

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a nominee hearing for three of the president's undersecretary nominees: Thomas Donato to be Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Sarah Rogers to be Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and Lisonbee (last name redacted in the transcript) to be Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

Thomas Donato, in opening remarks, emphasized concerns over global nuclear modernization and cited China’s expanding nuclear stockpile as a central challenge. Donato said he would pursue “verifiable and enforceable arms control agreements that enhance American national security” and stressed the need to prioritize U.S. security in any negotiated limits. He told senators he would make foreign military sales reform a top priority if confirmed, arguing that FMS is “the absolute cornerstone of our extended deterrence and allied assurance.”

Sarah Rogers described public diplomacy as…