A group of ten Democratic senators is reaching out to help Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintain the human rights department within the State Department.
Last month, the State Department informed Congress that many offices within the Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) division would be shut down under current proposals.
This department primarily concentrates on democratic initiatives in developing nations and authoritarian regimes, which include countries like Cuba, China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.
“The suggested reorganization of DRL brings up significant concerns regarding its role in emphasizing democracy and human rights, as well as its alignment with U.S. national security priorities,” a senator explained in a letter to Rubio, who previously spent 14 years as a senator before being appointed as the country’s top diplomat by President Trump.
This letter was signed last Thursday but only released to the public on Monday.
The senator expressed that the proposed changes would lead to a major restructuring of human rights initiatives, which contradicts both the spirit of the law and Rubio’s personal legacy in this area.
Signatures on the letter include senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Dick Durbin (IL), Chris Coons (DE), Tim Kaine (VA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Cory Booker (NJ), Brian Schatz (HI), Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Jacky Rosen (NV).
The senators aimed to appeal to Rubio’s long-time commitment to U.S. support for courageous activists and human rights advocates standing up to authoritarianism and advancing democracy worldwide. They referenced his remarks from a 2017 subcommittee discussing the link between Senate support for these efforts and national security.
“As you noted during the subcommittee hearing, millions living under oppressive regimes are determined to exercise their fundamental rights, and the dedicated staff at DRL are vital to advancing this noble cause,” they stated.
The State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on this issue.
In a news release on May 29, Rubio mentioned that the plan for the division’s overhaul was developed after careful consideration of feedback from lawmakers, experienced employees, and other stakeholders.
He described the reorganization as a means of creating a more responsive sector, better suited to uphold American interests and ensure safety for Americans abroad.
