Ex-Texas senator leading contender for NATO ambassador: report – The Hill

Former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is reportedly the leading candidate to serve as the U.S. ambassador to NATO.

A senior administration official told CNN that the administration is looking to have Hutchison in the role ahead of NATO meetings in Brussels later this month.

Hutchison previously served in the Senate for nearly 20 years, ending in 2013. During her time, she served on committees including Armed Services, Appropriations and Veterans' Affairs.

Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs, previously served as chief of staff for Hutchison.

Earle D. Litzenberger is currently serving as the acting representative.

President Trump voiced strong opinions about NATO during his White House bid. Last month, he said NATO is "no longer obsolete" after repeatedly calling the alliance obsolete on the campaign trail last year.

During a joint press conference in April with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Trump said he will continue to work closely with NATO allies, particularly when it comes to fighting terrorism.

The secretary-general and I had a productive discussion on what more NATO can do in the fight against terrorism, Trump said at the press conference. I complained about that a long time ago and they made a change and now they do fight terrorism.

I said it was obsolete, he continued. It is not longer obsolete.

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Ex-Texas senator leading contender for NATO ambassador: report - The Hill