Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the announcement by the United States Agency for Global Media of CEO John Lansing's plans to step down:

“I’m grateful to John Lansing for his years of service leading our international-broadcasting efforts under two administrations. His work has put the USAGM networks on a path toward becoming modern, effective news organizations providing unbiased information in some of the world’s most closed media spaces. This mission is an important representation of American values and is an asset in advancing our foreign policy goals.

“It’s important that when John steps down, there is continuity of leadership at USAGM. Changes in the law adopted in 2016 provided for a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed CEO to lead the agency. But the Senate has not confirmed such a nominee and until it does so, the existing Board of Governors retains the power to name a replacement. I urge the Board to do so immediately, as we can’t predict when the Senate may act on the President’s nominee. This is too important a job to be left vacant for even a day.”

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