Governor Terry Branstad Confirmed as Ambassador to China
May 22, 2017
*Reposted from www.kcci.com
The U.S. Senate confirmed Gov. Terry Branstad Monday as the new U.S. Ambassador to China. The Senate confirmed Branstad on an 82 to 13 vote.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Charles Grassley said he is, "pleased that (Branstad is) now been called to serve as Ambassador to China. I have every confidence that he will represent the United States well and excel just as he has throughout his career."
Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement that, “The position of U.S. Ambassador to China is one of the most important ambassadorial positions in the world, and I am confident that my friend and Governor – Terry Branstad – is the right person for the job.”
Branstad says he intends to use his decades-long relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping shee jihn-peeng to advance U.S. and international interests. The two met in 1985 when Xi, then a provincial official, led an agricultural trade delegation to Iowa.
The 70-year-old Branstad is in his sixth nonconsecutive term as Iowa's governor. With more than 22 years at the helm of state government, he is the country's longest-serving governor.
Branstad is expected to resign as Governor and be sworn in as Ambassador to China on Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds would then be sworn in as Governor.