Senators Duckworth, Kim, Hirono Statement on Senate Confirmation of Michelle Steel for U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Korea
June 17, 2026 Senators Duckworth, Kim, Hirono Statement on Senate Confirmation of Michelle Steel for U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Korea [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm former U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea: “The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community is the fastest growing minority community in America. As the three United States Senators of AANHPI descent, we have a deep understanding of the way our communities are perceived at home and abroad. When leaders in our community weaponize division and hate, it is not representative of who we are as Americans. “Congresswoman Steel has a disturbing history of using racially-based attacks and tropes. She has targeted AANHPI leaders – including Americans who have served our country in uniform – to divide and push us further apart. “The role of a United States Ambassador is more than executing the policies of the United States Government; it is to serve as a symbol of what America is and what it should be to people around the world. As we work to advance the U.S.-ROK alliance, it is critical that the connections between our people are grounded in unity and building broader coalitions both domestically and globally. “This is not a question of political affiliation, but one of whether the actions of Congresswoman Steel represent the vision of America we want to project to the world and to AANHPI members at home. To us, the answer is no unless she steps up, disavows her previous behaviors and acts as the leader the region deserves. The relationship with the ROK is too important to be undermined by petty politics.” -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article
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June 17, 2026 Senators Duckworth, Kim, Hirono Statement on Senate Confirmation of Michelle Steel for U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Korea [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm former U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea: “The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community is the fastest growing minority community in America. As the three United States Senators of AANHPI descent, we have a deep understanding of the way our communities are perceived at home and abroad. When leaders in our community weaponize division and hate, it is not representative of who we are as Americans. “Congresswoman Steel has a disturbing history of using racially-based attacks and tropes. She has targeted AANHPI leaders – including Americans who have served our country in uniform – to divide and push us further apart. “The role of a United States Ambassador is more than executing the policies of the United States Government; it is to serve as a symbol of what America is and what it should be to people around the world. As we work to advance the U.S.-ROK alliance, it is critical that the connections between our people are grounded in unity and building broader coalitions both domestically and globally. “This is not a question of political affiliation, but one of whether the actions of Congresswoman Steel represent the vision of America we want to project to the world and to AANHPI members at home. To us, the answer is no unless she steps up, disavows her previous behaviors and acts as the leader the region deserves. The relationship with the ROK is too important to be undermined by petty politics.” -30- Print Tweet Previous Article
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