GOP Sen. Risch demands Podesta face Senate confirmation to succeed Kerry as climate envoy

Idaho GOP Sen. James Risch on Monday called for John Podesta, President Joe Biden's chosen successor to John Kerry as presidential climate envoy.

Kerry has served in the post since 2021 but plans to leave the job to join the Biden campaign. The White House confirmed that Podesta would assume the job last month. Podesta has served as a White House advisor on clean energy and is a longtime strategist for the Democratic Party.

Risch, for his part, insisted Podesta ought to appear before the upper chamber and receive its approval to take the position, highlighting the role's use of State Department resources.

"Any appointed administration official that will heavily rely on State Department staff and resources should be accountable to congressional committees with jurisdiction over State, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," he told The Hill. 

Podesta plans to work out of the White House and will assume a different title than Kerry.

"It is not unprecedented for someone serving in the White House to go through Senate confirmation," Risch added. "If the Biden Administration would like for the role of senior advisor for international climate policy to be effective, it should send Mr. Podesta’s appointment to our committee for consideration."

While Kerry held the post, he made a litany of foreign trips to discuss environmental policy with world leaders. Podesta reportedly plans to scale back that activity due in part to his retention of some advisory responsibilities.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.