Fore confirmed as new chief of State Department’s USAID

WASHINGTON -- Nevadan Henrietta Holsman Fore cleared the final hurdle in the Senate this week to assume a new title at the State Department.

Fore was confirmed Tuesday to become the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. She has worked as the acting head of the agency since May.

USAID, which distributes U.S. foreign aid around the world, is the third post that the Las Vegas businesswoman has held in the Bush administration.

Fore was director of the U.S. Mint from 2001 to 2005, and then was State Department undersecretary for management, in effect the chief personnel and embassy security officer.

"It is tremendous to see Nevadans working in such important roles within our government," said Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the nominee "was a little controversial," but that Fore was a "good Nevadan" who "will do her best."

Fore received some criticism from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after the State Department mishandled a new passport law earlier this year. Poor implementation of the law caused delays at passport offices and annoyed travelers. The problem was large enough to warrant congressional inquiries.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said Fore was slow to take responsibility for the gaffe.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., a candidate for president, also voiced concerns about Fore's record on minority hiring.