The U.S. Senate overnight, Confirmed more than Three Dozen of President Biden's Nominees to Ambassador Posts, ending a months-long Republican-led Blockade on quick consideration of the Diplomatic Nominations.
Rahm Emanuel, the former Mayor of Chicago, and White House Chief-of-Staff for President Obama, was Confirmed early Saturday as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The Vote was 48-21, with 31 senators Not Voting. Progressive Democrats had Objected to Emanuel's Nomination, citing his Record as Chicago Mayor, specifically his Handling of the 2014 Police Shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Three Democratic Senators: Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Jeff Merkley, Voted against Emanuel's Confirmation.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R) had for months Refused to allow Quick Confirmation on Diplomatic Nominations to Protest the Biden Administration's Policy on the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. Cruz wants the Administration to Toughen its Policy on the Major Pipeline that will deliver Natural Gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, arguing that the Pipeline would Strengthen Russia and make Germany beholden to the Country. Some Republican Senators, however, had expressed concern that the Hold-Up on the Nominations would impact America's Diplomacy and Influence around the world.
Early Saturday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D), announced a Deal that Cruz's Legislation imposing Sanctions would be Debated and Voted on by Mid-January.
Emanuel and others' Confirmation Votes were part of a flurry of Activity, in the Senate in the early hours of Saturday morning, before Lawmakers adjourned for Recess.
The Senate confirmed several Nominees to other Key Posts in Asia and Africa:
- Marc Evans Knapper as the Ambassador to Vietnam.
- Larry Edward André Jr. as the Ambassador to Somalia.
- Steven C. Bondy as the Ambassador to Bahrain.
- Christopher John Lamora as the Ambassador to Cameroon.
- Mark Gitenstein as the Ambassador to the European Union.
- Massachusetts State Rep. Claire Cronin as the Ambassador to Ireland.
- Former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as the Ambassador to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
- Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón, who most recently served as First Lady Jill Biden's Chief of Staff, as the Ambassador to Spain.
The Senate also Confirmed a handful of Judicial Nominees:
- Mary Katherine Dimke to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.
- Gabriel P. Sanchez to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
- Holly A. Thomas as the U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, becoming only the Second Black Woman to serve on the Ninth Circuit, and the First Black Woman from California.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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