WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Thursday released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Dennis Hankins as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti:

“I am extremely concerned with the deteriorating security situation and dire humanitarian crisis in Haiti. It is critical we get an ambassador on the ground as soon as possible and I am glad that the Senate has finally confirmed Ambassador Hankins after months of Republican delays. Ambassador Hankins will play an important role, alongside Haitian stakeholders and our international partners, in helping form the transitional presidential council and advancing a political process that ensures the Haitian people have the power to decide their future in free and fair elections. I support the Biden administration’s efforts to help restore order and facilitate the delivery of aid to the people of Haiti through the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission, but only so much is possible until Republicans lift their hold on the additional $40 million in funding necessary to deploy for the mission. They should do so immediately.”

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