Trump Nominates Kelly Knight Craft for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

WASHINGTON — Today, Planned Parenthood released the following statement on the Trump-Pence administration’s nomination of Kelly Knight Craft for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:

Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

It is clear that the Trump-Pence administration sees the U.S. Ambassador to the UN as nothing more than a mouthpiece to amplify and impose its dangerous ideology to the rest of the world. As the permanent representative to the U.N., the U.S. Ambassador plays a privileged and important role in defining and representing U.S. interests on the global stage and advising the president on key foreign policy decisions. Under Nikki Haley’s tenure in this vital position, the U.S. attacked the rights of refugees, LGBTQ people, and other communities for which the role is intended to advocate, a position the Trump-Pence administration has doubled down on since her departure.

“Kelly Knight Craft has limited diplomatic experience aside from her current role as U.S. Ambassador to Canada. We will be monitoring her hearing and hope to hear from her whether she will represent the people or follow in her predecessor’s footsteps and work to take away people’s health and rights around the world.

Craft will face a Senate confirmation hearing in the coming weeks. If confirmed she will assume the post, vacated last year by Nikki Haley. Under Ambassador Haley and her interim successor, the office:

• Stripped language affirming the right for survivors of rape to access sexual and reproductive health care in a U.N. Security Council resolution

• Appointed LGBTQ hate groups to serve on the 2017 U.S. delegation to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women

• Supported banning U.S. funding for UNFPA, the U.N. agency which supports reproductive and maternal health in over 150 countries

• Rolled back U.S. foreign policy positions promoting access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights

• Deputized U.S. delegates like Valerie Huber (HHS) and Bethany Kozma (USAID) to outline the administration's anti-women’s agenda throughout negotiations at the Commission on the Status of Women. At a closed-door event, according to reports, Kozma said the “U.S. is a pro-life nation.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

For more than 45 years, Planned Parenthood Federation of America has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world through our international arm, Planned Parenthood Global. In partnership with more than 100 organizations across 12 focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Last year, our partners reached over a million people with sexual and reproductive health information and services provided by our partners. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans.