Washington - The United States Senate confirmed Jamie Linder Harpootlian as the new ambassador to Slovenia on Saturday, after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed President Joe Biden's pick following an early-November hearing.

"I am deeply honoured and grateful for the confidence that President Biden has placed in me. I also want to thank Sen. Lindsey Graham for his support in the confirmation process. I look forward to representing the United States of America in Slovenia," Harpootlian said in a emailed statement to The State, a South Carolina newspaper.

During the committee hearing Harpootlian pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and work to ensure Slovenia's commitment to stability and security remains steadfast.

She said she would work to deepen understanding of the United States, counter disinformation, and foster the countries' shared vision of democracy.

Harpootlian, a lawyer and wife of South Carolina's State Senator Dick Harpootlian, will succeed Lynda Blanchard, who left Slovenia in January and is has now entered the race to become the governor of Alabama.