White House Announces Key Appointment

President Donald Trump has nominated a familiar face to represent the U.S. at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

The White House announced a number of key administration appointments and nominations Friday afternoon, including:

Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas to be United States permanent representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the rank and status of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. Kay Bailey Hutchison has been senior counsel since 2013 at Bracewell, LLP, in Dallas, Texas. During her 20 years a U.S. senator, she served as a member of the Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Military Construction Subcommittee of Appropriations, where she gained extensive international experience and a deep understanding of NATO. She also served in the Texas state government as an elected state representative and later state treasurer. Ms. Hutchison has served as vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. She earned a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Texas.

While Hutchison brings a wealth of experience as a former senator, her appointment also signals perhaps an end to in-fighting with the “Bush Wing” of the Republican Party establishment. Hutchison is closely aligned with both presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush, and is a longtime friend of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. {eoa}