Senate Confirms Mike Waltz as representative to UN General Assembly
The U.S. Senate confirmed Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, as the United States representative to the United Nations General Assembly. This confirmation, wich passed by a 54-45 vote wiht bipartisan support from three Democrats, adds to Waltz’s existing role as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations-a position he was confirmed for earlier in September.Due to the separate legal requirements under the United Nations Participation Act,Waltz had to be confirmed separately for both roles since they carry distinct powers and responsibilities. His confirmation faced delays and some opposition, particularly from Sen. Rand Paul, but the process was ultimately facilitated by negotiations, including support from Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Since starting at the U.N., Waltz has actively addressed issues such as calling for the release of hostages held by hamas and warning Russia against expanding hostility towards NATO allies.With this dual confirmation, Waltz will handle both ambassadorial duties and represent the U.S. in the General Assembly amid ongoing international challenges including the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Trump UN pick Mike Waltz confirmed as General Assembly Representative
The Senate on Monday confirmed Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, to also serve as the United States representative to the U.N. General Assembly.
Waltz, formerly President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, was confirmed in a 54-45 vote. Three Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), joined most Republicans in supporting his nomination, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote no.
Waltz’s appointment necessitated two separate Senate votes, as the positions of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and representative to the U.N. General Assembly are legally distinct under the United Nations Participation Act. While the same person often fills both, each requires its own confirmation since they carry separate statutory authorities and responsibilities. Waltz was confirmed as ambassador to the U.N. on Sept. 19.
In his first week at the U.N., Waltz used the General Assembly to call for the release of hostages held by Hamas and, in a Security Council address, warned Russia against testing NATO by expanding hostilities into allied airspace.
Waltz, a former Florida congressman and national security adviser, was nominated in May after he was removed from his White House post for mistakenly including a journalist from The Atlantic in a secure Signal chat where military strike plans were being discussed.
His nomination was one of dozens of Trump picks delayed for months by Democrats, who refused to support many of the president’s appointments. That standoff pushed Senate Republicans to change chamber rules to allow blocs of nominees to be advanced on party-line votes. Monday’s action marked one of the first tests of the new system.
The path to confirmation was unusually rocky. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee first advanced Waltz’s nomination in July, aided by the panel’s top Democrat, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). But Democrats later objected to the use of proxy and voice votes, sending his nomination back to the committee earlier this month. He was re-approved by the panel in an 11–10 vote, after Shaheen again voted in favor, as Sen. Paul voted in opposition. Paul did not detail his objections but raised concerns over Waltz’s past positions on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Behind the scenes, Republicans secured Shaheen’s support by agreeing to release foreign aid funding she had pressed for, clearing the way for Waltz to advance with a favorable committee recommendation.
WALTZ SEATED AT UN AHEAD OF LEADERS SUMMIT WHERE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR WILL BE AT FORE
With Monday’s final vote, Waltz will assume dual responsibilities at the United Nations: ambassador and General Assembly representative.
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