Despite Scandals at Voice of America, Amanda Bennett Appears Cleared for Senate Confirmation as U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) CEO – USAGM Watch
Despite a long record of unprecedented management scandals during her tenure as Voice of America (VOA) director and VOA Charter violations caused by the partisanship and foreign propaganda influence, especially from Iran, China, Russia, and Cuba, the well-connected Amanda Bennett appears cleared for Senate confirmation as the next U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO.
USAGM Watch Commentary
The U.S. Senate voted 60 to 37 for cloture on the nomination of Amanda Bennett to head USAGM.
[Pages S4907-S4908] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Cloture Motion
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state. The bill clerk read as follows:
Cloture Motion
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 1055, Amanda Bennett, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media. Charles E. Schumer, Richard J. Durbin, Christopher Murphy, Ben Ray Lujan, Chris Van Hollen, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Christopher A. Coons, Tina Smith, Michael F. Bennet, Jacky Rosen, Edward J. Markey, Angus S. King, Jr.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the nomination of Amanda Bennett, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk called the roll. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) is necessarily absent. Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) and the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch).
The result was announced–yeas 60, nays 37, as follows: [[Page S4908]]
[Rollcall Vote No. 344 Ex.]
YEAS–60
Barrasso
Bennet
Blackburn
Blumenthal
Blunt
Booker
Brown
Burr
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Collins
Coons
Cornyn
Cortez Masto
Duckworth
Durbin
Feinstein
Gillibrand
Graham
Hassan
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Hirono
Kaine
Kelly
King
Klobuchar
Leahy
Lujan
Manchin
Markey
Menendez
Merkley
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Padilla
Peters
Portman
Reed
Romney
Rosen
Rounds
Sanders
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Tester
Van Hollen
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Whitehouse
Wyden
Young
NAYS--37
Boozman
Braun
Capito
Cassidy
Cotton
Cramer
Cruz
Daines
Ernst
Fischer
Grassley
Hagerty
Hawley
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Inhofe
Johnson
Kennedy
Lankford
Lee
Lummis
Marshall
McConnell
Moran
Murkowski
Paul
Rubio
Sasse
Scott (FL)
Scott (SC)
Shelby
Sullivan
Thune
Tillis
Toomey
Tuberville
Wicker
NOT VOTING--3
Baldwin
Crapo
Risch
The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 60, the nays are 37, and the motion is agreed to.
ALSO, SEE:
UPDATE: “Fantastic Leadership Team” Welcomes Amanda Bennett’s Confirmation
The Senate confirmed Amanda Bennett’s nomination today. The news of her confirmation as USAGM CEO was welcomed by key members of what Bennett called her “fantastic leadership team” when she became the Voice of America director in 2016.
From: Yolanda Lopez
Date: September 22, 2022 at 3:06:11 PM EDT
To: VOA Notices
Subject: VOA welcomes newly confirmed USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to you to make sure that you are aware of the message Acting USAGM CEO, Kelu Chao, sent earlier (below) to the entire workforce.
Earlier today former VOA Director, Amanda Bennett, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new CEO of USAGM. I look forward to working with her to support VOA’s mission and in the promotion of global press freedom.
I also want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Kelu Chao on behalf of every member of the VOA team for her tremendous leadership and steadfast support of Voice of America over the last twenty months.
Yolanda López
Acting VOA Director
From: USAGM House Announcements
Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 1:14 PM
To: All Staff
Subject: Message from the Acting CEO on the U.S. Senate Confirmation of Amanda Bennett
| Dear Colleagues, I am excited to announce that Amanda Bennett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate today to be our next Chief Executive Officer. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Amanda brings to this position more than four decades of experience in domestic and international investigative reporting, business sector leadership, and federal management. Most importantly, Amanda shares a deep dedication to the highest journalistic standards, a passion for truthful, independent reporting, a commitment to enhancing the safety and security of journalists and their audiences, and an abiding nonpartisan approach to our mission at this crucial time. This confirmation underscores just how critical it is to Congress and our stakeholders alike that USAGM provide a fact-based alternative to mis- and disinformation, combat censorship, and support freedom and democracy worldwide. Thank you for all you do to advance our agency’s work! I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I am equally elated to usher in a new chapter for this agency. I know Amanda is eager to join us as soon as the last steps of the process are complete and look forward to sharing more information regarding this transition soon. Sincerely, Kelu Chao Acting Chief Executive Officer U.S. Agency for Global Media |
Question: On the Nomination
(Confirmation: Amanda Bennett, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Agency for Global Media )
Vote Number: 347
Vote Date: September 22, 2022, 12:23 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Nomination Confirmed
Nomination Number: PN1566
Nomination Description: Amanda Bennett, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media
Vote Counts:
YEAs60
NAYs
36
Not Voting
4
*Information compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate bill clerk under the direction of the secretary of the Senate
Baldwin (D-WI), Not Voting
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Bennet (D-CO), Yea
Blackburn (R-TN), Yea
Blumenthal (D-CT), Yea
Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Booker (D-NJ), Not Voting
Boozman (R-AR), Nay
Braun (R-IN), Nay
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Capito (R-WV), Nay
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Cassidy (R-LA), Nay
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Coons (D-DE), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Cortez Masto (D-NV), Yea
Cotton (R-AR), Nay
Cramer (R-ND), Nay
Crapo (R-ID), Not Voting
Cruz (R-TX), Nay
Daines (R-MT), Nay
Duckworth (D-IL), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Ernst (R-IA), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Fischer (R-NE), Nay
Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Nay
Hagerty (R-TN), Nay
Hassan (D-NH), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Nay
Heinrich (D-NM), Yea
Hickenlooper (D-CO), Yea
Hirono (D-HI), Yea
Hoeven (R-ND), Nay
Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Nay
Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Johnson (R-WI), Nay
Kaine (D-VA), Yea
Kelly (D-AZ), Yea
Kennedy (R-LA), Nay
King (I-ME), Yea
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Lankford (R-OK), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Lee (R-UT), Not Voting
Lujan (D-NM), Yea
Lummis (R-WY), Nay
Manchin (D-WV), Yea
Markey (D-MA), Yea
Marshall (R-KS), Nay
McConnell (R-KY), Nay
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
Merkley (D-OR), Yea
Moran (R-KS), Nay
Murkowski (R-AK), Nay
Murphy (D-CT), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
Ossoff (D-GA), Yea
Padilla (D-CA), Yea
Paul (R-KY), Nay
Peters (D-MI), Yea
Portman (R-OH), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Risch (R-ID), Yea
Romney (R-UT), Yea
Rosen (D-NV), Yea
Rounds (R-SD), Yea
Rubio (R-FL), Nay
Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Sasse (R-NE), Nay
Schatz (D-HI), Yea
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
Scott (R-FL), Nay
Scott (R-SC), Nay
Shaheen (D-NH), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Sinema (D-AZ), Yea
Smith (D-MN), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Sullivan (R-AK), Nay
Tester (D-MT), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Nay
Tillis (R-NC), Nay
Toomey (R-PA), Nay
Tuberville (R-AL), Nay
Van Hollen (D-MD), Yea
Warner (D-VA), Yea
Warnock (D-GA), Yea
Warren (D-MA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Young (R-IN), Yea
YEAs —60
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Blunt (R-MO)
Brown (D-OH)
Burr (R-NC)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Collins (R-ME)
Coons (D-DE)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Graham (R-SC)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
Kelly (D-AZ)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Manchin (D-WV)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Ossoff (D-GA)
Padilla (D-CA)
Peters (D-MI)
Portman (R-OH)
Reed (D-RI)
Risch (R-ID)
Romney (R-UT)
Rosen (D-NV)
Rounds (R-SD)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Sinema (D-AZ)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warnock (D-GA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
Young (R-IN)
NAYs —36
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Capito (R-WV)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cramer (R-ND)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Paul (R-KY)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sasse (R-NE)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
Not Voting – 4
Baldwin (D-WI)
Booker (D-NJ)
Crapo (R-ID)
Lee (R-UT)
Alabama:
Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Tuberville (R-AL), Nay
Alaska:
Murkowski (R-AK), Nay
Sullivan (R-AK), Nay
Arizona:
Kelly (D-AZ), Yea
Sinema (D-AZ), Yea
Arkansas:
Boozman (R-AR), Nay
Cotton (R-AR), Nay
California:
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Padilla (D-CA), Yea
Colorado:
Bennet (D-CO), Yea
Hickenlooper (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut:
Blumenthal (D-CT), Yea
Murphy (D-CT), Yea
Delaware:
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Coons (D-DE), Yea
Florida:
Rubio (R-FL), Nay
Scott (R-FL), Nay
Georgia:
Ossoff (D-GA), Yea
Warnock (D-GA), Yea
Hawaii:
Hirono (D-HI), Yea
Schatz (D-HI), Yea
Idaho:
Crapo (R-ID), Not Voting
Risch (R-ID), Yea
Illinois:
Duckworth (D-IL), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Indiana:
Braun (R-IN), Nay
Young (R-IN), Yea
Iowa:
Ernst (R-IA), Nay
Grassley (R-IA), Nay
Kansas:
Marshall (R-KS), Nay
Moran (R-KS), Nay
Kentucky:
McConnell (R-KY), Nay
Paul (R-KY), Nay
Louisiana:
Cassidy (R-LA), Nay
Kennedy (R-LA), Nay
Maine:
Collins (R-ME), Yea
King (I-ME), Yea
Maryland:
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Van Hollen (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts:
Markey (D-MA), Yea
Warren (D-MA), Yea
Michigan:
Peters (D-MI), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Minnesota:
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Smith (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi:
Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Nay
Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Missouri:
Blunt (R-MO), Yea
Hawley (R-MO), Nay
Montana:
Daines (R-MT), Nay
Tester (D-MT), Yea
Nebraska:
Fischer (R-NE), Nay
Sasse (R-NE), Nay
Nevada:
Cortez Masto (D-NV), Yea
Rosen (D-NV), Yea
New Hampshire:
Hassan (D-NH), Yea
Shaheen (D-NH), Yea
New Jersey:
Booker (D-NJ), Not Voting
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico:
Heinrich (D-NM), Yea
Lujan (D-NM), Yea
New York:
Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina:
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Tillis (R-NC), Nay
North Dakota:
Cramer (R-ND), Nay
Hoeven (R-ND), Nay
Ohio:
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Portman (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma:
Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Lankford (R-OK), Nay
Oregon:
Merkley (D-OR), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania:
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Toomey (R-PA), Nay
Rhode Island:
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
South Carolina:
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Scott (R-SC), Nay
South Dakota:
Rounds (R-SD), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Nay
Tennessee:
Blackburn (R-TN), Yea
Hagerty (R-TN), Nay
Texas:
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Cruz (R-TX), Nay
Utah:
Lee (R-UT), Not Voting
Romney (R-UT), Yea
Vermont:
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Virginia:
Kaine (D-VA), Yea
Warner (D-VA), Yea
Washington:
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
West Virginia:
Capito (R-WV), Nay
Manchin (D-WV), Yea
Wisconsin:
Baldwin (D-WI), Not Voting
Johnson (R-WI), Nay
Wyoming:
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Lummis (R-WY), Nay
