Senate votes for Garcetti’s nomination for ambassador

Nearly two years after President Biden named him Ambassador to India, former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti may finally win Senate approval.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) on Thursday orchestrated the process of getting a vote on Garcetti’s nomination as early as next week as the former mayor’s chances of confirmation become increasingly positive.

Since Biden nominated him in July 2021, Garcetti’s nomination has stalled over questions about whether he should have known a senior city hall aide allegedly sexually harassed colleagues.

Several Senate Republicans said they would oppose Garcetti’s nomination, and even some Democrats were unsure.

Garcetti’s prospects for confirmation rose after the November midterm elections, in which Democrats raised their Senate ratings by one vote.

Also, with the House of Representatives in the hands of the Republican Party, Senate Democrats focus less on legislation and more on confirming nominations, including controversial ones that will burn more time in the Senate floor.

In recent months, Senate Democrats have argued that India is too important a country to continue without an ambassador.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee nominated Garcetti for the full Senate on Wednesday.

Two Republicans, Sep. Indiana’s Todd Young and Tennessee’s Bill Hagerty joined the Democrats, which is a good sign for Garcetti’s chances on the court.