More than six
months after receiving her nomination, the Senate has finally confirmed Judith Ann Stock to become Assistant
Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs.
"Ann Stock is already on the job
and we are thrilled," said Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley. "This day has been a long
time coming."
Stock was waived through along with over 60 other Obama
administration nominees that the Senate confirmed in one fell swoop on Thursday
by voice vote. President Obama has been pushing the Senate to move on the
nominations, even threatening to make appointments during the recess, a
controversial tactic, especially when his own party is in the majority.
"The vast majority already have support from both parties,"
Obama said June 20, "But most of them are seeing their nominations
intentionally delayed by Republican leaders, or even blocked altogether."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell, R-KY, said that the nominations couldn't go through until the
selection of Craig Becker for the National
Labor Relations Board was separated out. Becker was not on today's confirmation
list.
Stock is currently the vice president for Institutional
Affairs at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and served as an
assistant to President Clinton and his social secretary from 1993 to 1997. She
will report up to Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Judith McHale.
"I am delighted by the
confirmation of Ann Stock as Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural
Affairs. I know she will provide terrific leadership of that bureau's
people, programs, and initiatives in public diplomacy," McHale told The Cable.
According to the State Department website, the slot for her
principal deputy is still vacant.
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