Senators, including seven Republicans, voted on Wednesday to confirm President Joe Biden‘s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to India, embattled former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
The Senate voted 52-42 to send Garcetti to New Delhi.
The seven Republicans who voted in favor of moving forward were: Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins (ME), Steve Daines (MT), Lindsey Graham (SC), Bill Hagerty (TN), Roger Marshall (KS), and Todd Young (IN).
Three Democrats voted against his nomination. Six senators did not vote.
“I’m thrilled with today’s outcome, which was a decisive and bipartisan decision to fill a critical post that has been vacant for far too long. Now the hard work begins,” Garcetti said in a statement.
Eric Garcetti’s statement on being confirmed as ambassador to India pic.twitter.com/DSLhPQFzzu
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) March 15, 2023
Garcetti is a Democrat who served as mayor of Los Angeles from 2013 to 2022 and was named co-chair of Biden’s campaign in 2020. After Biden became president, he first nominated Garcetti to be ambassador to India in July 2021. Garcetti was nominated again earlier this year for the new session of Congress.
The nomination was held up amid claims that Garcetti may have ignored sexual misconduct allegations against a top aide when he was mayor. Naomi Seligman, a former communication’s director for Garcetti, told CNN on Monday that Garcetti is “unfit to become an ambassador or really to hold public office anywhere in this country or this world.”
A review by staff for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) found Garcetti “likely knew, or should have known, that his former senior advisor was sexually harassing and making racist remarks toward multiple individuals.”
Garcetti denied the assertions, insisting he did not witness any inappropriate behavior.
The White House voiced support for Garcetti up until he was confirmed, with spokesperson Olivia Dalton saying Biden “believes that we have a crucial and consequential partnership with India and that Mayor Garcetti will make a strong and effective ambassador,” according to the Associated Press.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee opted to advance Garcetti’s nomination last week by a 13-8 vote. GOP support to proceed with Garcetti’s nomination earlier on Wednesday prompted outrage from at least one prominent Republican figure.
“Why are Republican Senators throwing a lifeline to save a radical Dem like Eric Garcetti? Dems would NEVER do this to save a Republican nominee in peril,” tweeted Donald Trump Jr. “This type of weakness is exactly why we’re losing our country. Dems play hardball, while Republicans keep playing tee-ball.”
Why are Republican Senators throwing a lifeline to save a radical Dem like Eric Garcetti?
Dems would NEVER do this to save a Republican nominee in peril. This type of weakness is exactly why we're losing our country. Dems play hardball, while Republicans keep playing tee-ball. https://t.co/b9JdpuDUVB
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2023
One of the Republicans who voted to move forward with Garcetti’s nomination, Young, told CNN that senators had to “balance concerns” with the nominee against national security imperatives.
Menendez on Garcetti allegations: "Witnesses deny that in fact he had any knowledge."
Todd Young: "We have to balance concerns" with nat sec imperatives.
Mark Kelly: "I have significant concerns"
Eric Garcetti now on track to be confirmed as ambassador to India pic.twitter.com/nGiwFSOxcE— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 15, 2023
In lieu of a Senate-confirmed ambassador to India, multiple temporary envoys have held the diplomatic post since Biden took office.
“The United States-India relationship is extremely important, and it’s a very good thing we now have an ambassador,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).