The U.S. Senate confirmed Mike Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Friday as world leaders prepare to gather for the General Assembly next week.
Senators voted 47-43 to approve the former national security advisor and congressman from Florida on a mostly party-line basis.
Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) joined nearly every Republican in approving the nomination, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joined nearly every Democrat in opposition.
Paul sparred with Waltz at his confirmation hearing in July over the latter’s vote as a congressman in 2020 in favor of an amendment that would have limited U.S. President Donald Trump’s ability to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
That opposition threatened to sink Waltz’s nomination until Shaheen reportedly struck a deal with Senate Republicans and the Trump administration to back Waltz in exchange for unlocking foreign-aid spending.
During the hearing, Waltz vowed to fight antisemitism at the United Nations, including by supporting Israel.
Republicans welcomed Waltz’s confirmation on Friday.
“A Green Beret, combat veteran and proven foreign policy leader, Mike understands both the costs of war and the necessity of peace through strength,” stated Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee. “He’ll put America first at the U.N.”
