Samantha Power
By Irish Echo Staff
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden as the next head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The transition team also said that Biden plans to elevate the position of USAID administrator to become a member of the National Security Council in his administration, the Hill newspaper reported.
Power, who spent her early years with her Irish parents in Dublin, served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017. She is an author and Pulitzer Prize winner among other distinctions.
In a statement, Biden described Power as a “world-renowned voice of conscience and moral clarity” and said he has personally witnessed “the unparalleled knowledge and tireless commitment to principled American engagement she brings to the table.”
“Her expertise and perspective will be essential as our country reasserts its role as a leader on the world stage,” Biden said. “As USAID Administrator, Ambassador Power will be a powerful force for lifting up the vulnerable, ushering in a new era of human progress and development, and advancing American interests globally.”
If confirmed, the Hill report stated, "Power would lead the government agency responsible for distributing civilian foreign aid around the world. USAID has seen its standing diminished in recent years, as President Trump has sought enormous cuts to foreign aid programs.
"If confirmed, she is likely to benefit from the working relationships she has already established with members of Biden’s senior team. Before serving as ambassador to the U.N., Power served on President Obama’s National Security Council as the senior director for multilateral affairs and human rights."
Said a release from the Biden/Harris transition office: "Power is a crisis-tested public servant and diplomat and has been a leader in marshaling the world to resolve long-running conflicts, respond to humanitarian emergencies, defend human dignity, and strengthen the rule of law and democracy.
"A leading voice for humane and principled American engagement in the world, Samantha Power will rally the international community as our next USAID Administrator. She will work with our partners to confront the biggest challenges of our time — including COVID-19, climate change, global poverty, and democratic backsliding."
