Eight months after retaking office, President Donald Trump is inching closer to the Senate confirming his United Nations ambassador nominee.
Mike Waltz, his nominee to be United Nations ambassador, was revoted 11-10 out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday after Democrats forced the Republican majority to reconsider dozens of Trump nominees over a rules snafu.
The same two panel members crossed party lines as they did in a previous vote to advance Waltz: ranking member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) voted “yes” and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted “no.”
Waltz, Trump’s former national security advisor who was removed from his post shortly after the Signalgate leak of sensitive military plans to a journalist, was initially advanced by the committee in July but was among the nominees Democrats said were “not properly reported” to the chamber due to the use of proxy or voice votes.
Democrats took advantage of a little-used rule after Republicans altered Senate procedure to fast-track nominees and sidestep Democratic roadblocks.
MIKE WALTZ RISKS MISSING UN AMBASSADOR DEBUT AT INTERNATIONAL MEETING
But Waltz’s final confirmation may still not come until after Trump is set to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City next week, which is already underway. The Senate could confirm him later this week, if they remain the weekend, or next week, if they miss part of a scheduled recess.
Senators are set to recess starting Thursday through all next week for the Rosh Hashanah Jewish holiday. However, the break could be shortened due to a Sept. 30 government funding deadline.