Trump’s nominee for UN ambassador Elise Stefanik says she sees ‘great potential’ at the United Nations

FIRST ON FOX: President Trump sees “great prospects” at the United Nations, according to his nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik, who said she would introduce “reforms” to the organization.

“In discussing this nomination with President Trump, the President shared with me that he sees great promise for the United Nations as it focuses on its founding mission of international peace and security. President Trump has long advocated peace and the absence of new wars,” she said. will say, according to excerpts from her opening statement at Tuesday’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, obtained by Fox News Digital.

She will pledge to support Israel as it faces constant criticism war in Gaza – and work to ensure that the agency uses US tax dollars to advance US interests.

“As the world faces crisis after crisis, with hostages, including Americans still held by Hamas, with national security challenges ranging from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, it has never been more important for the United States to lead with strength and moral clarity,” Stefanik plans to say.

“As a member of Congress, I also deeply understand that we must be good stewards of US taxpayer dollars. The US is the largest contributor to the UN. Our tax dollars should not be involved in supporting organizations that oppose American interests, are anti-Semitic, or engage in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.”

“We must invest in programs that strengthen our national security and deliver results. To make UN programs more effective, we must encourage reforms. If confirmed, I will be the first UN ambassador in more than two decades to visit directly from Congress – and I deeply respect and understand the legislature’s role in oversight and appropriations. I look forward to using my strong relationships in the House and Senate to push for much-needed reforms.”

After Tuesday’s hearing in which Stefanik will discuss her plans to represent the US at the United Nations, the Foreign Relations Committee will vote on her confirmation before heading to the full Senate for a vote.

FORMER HIGH-LEVEL UN OFFICIALS LAUNCH ‘DOGE-UN’ TO EXPLORE AGENCY’S INEFFICIENCY

Stefanik, who is currently the chairman of the House Republican Conference, is expected to be confirmed at the UN. Senator John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, has already done so said that he would vote for her – they are both strong supporters of Israel. She has served on the intelligence and armed services committees, but her work on the other side of the table went viral last year when she questioned university presidents and their policies on the Gaza protests during an education committee hearing.

Ambassador of the UN — A Cabinet level positionmeaning Stefanik will meet regularly with the president to share news and proposals as they are confirmed.

Both Trump and Stefanik have been critical of the UN, and Trump cut funding to some UN agencies and programs during his first term.

Founded with the mission of promoting global peace, development and respect for human rights after World War II, the UN relies on the US for about a third of its budget. President Biden increased US financial contributions to the UN and its related agencies from $11.6 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion in 2022.

US ENEMIES IRAN, RUSSIA AND OTHER UN DIPLOMATS EXEMPTED FROM CHARGE IN NEW YORK AS TAXPAYERS FORCED TO PAY BILLS

That year, the U.S. gave about three times as much as the next largest contributors, Germany ($6.8 billion) and Japan ($2.7 billion).

That amount of funding gives the new administration the ability to reject U.N. funds if its global interests don’t align with those of the U.S., some Republicans believe already sought.

Trump will be in office when international will choose its next secretary-general in 2026, and the US will have veto power over any nominee.

The UN particularly relies on the US for global aid programs.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

In 2022, it provided half of all contributions to the World Food Program and about a third of all contributions to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) and the International Organization for Migration.

And critics warn that China has infiltrated the agency, with the CCP doubling the number of its nationals working at the UN to nearly 15,000 between 2009 and 2021.