Senators warn Tillerson diplomatic power is being dismantled
WASHINGTON - Two senators warned Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday that US diplomatic power is being dismantled on his watch, and they urged him to reverse course before America's leadership role in the world is further degraded.
In a letter to Tillerson, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, said a hiring freeze in effect since late January at the State Department has almost halted the influx of new foreign service officers. Shutting off the intake of entry-level officers will inevitably lead to shortages of experienced personnel in the future, they said.
Promotion rates for senior foreign service officers have decreased dramatically over the last year, according to their letter, which also cited falling numbers of career ambassadors and career ministers.
