Delays Hinder Mike Waltz’s Confirmation as UN Ambassador Ahead of Summit

Mike Waltz is unlikely to assume his role as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations prior to a critical gathering of world leaders scheduled for next week. His confirmation faced significant delays after procedural hurdles led to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sending his nomination back for further consideration. The committee is set to hold another vote on Waltz’s nomination on September 27, 2023, but it is improbable that he will be confirmed by the full Senate before the start of the high-level General Assembly meeting on October 2, 2023.

Senator Jim Risch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the current situation, stating, “Senate Democrats’ extension of their blockade on President Trump’s nominations is a deterrent to bipartisan committee work and has hurt America’s standing on the world stage.” He expressed confidence that Waltz would eventually be confirmed, indicating a commitment by Republicans to resume their work in the Senate.

Waltz, who previously served as Trump’s national security adviser, was ousted after a brief tenure due to a controversial incident involving a private messaging chat. He has denied any wrongdoing and claims he was appointed to the U.N. position afterward. The Pentagon inspector general is currently investigating the matter, adding another layer of complexity to his nomination.

The nomination process for Waltz has been notably slow. By the time his paperwork reached the Senate, the U.N. position had remained vacant for nearly six months, marking it as the last cabinet role to be filled under Trump’s administration. This followed the withdrawal of the original nominee, Elise Stefanik, due to concerns about the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

It remains unclear why Waltz’s nomination did not progress sooner, especially since it had garnered bipartisan support during its initial committee review last month. A Democratic congressional aide cited a lack of urgency from the White House to expedite Waltz’s confirmation prior to the upcoming U.N. meeting. This situation raises questions about the administration’s overall strategy regarding key appointments.

Should Waltz be confirmed, he would represent the United States alongside President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also currently holds the position of national security adviser. The confirmation vote is expected to include Waltz and over 25 other Trump nominees who were recently sent back to committee. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is employing a new tactic to facilitate the confirmation of multiple nominees following unsuccessful negotiations with Democrats.

The U.N. is experiencing significant changes as it approaches its 80th anniversary. Waltz will arrive at a time when the organization is grappling with the implications of Trump’s decision to reduce foreign assistance funding, which has severely impacted humanitarian efforts. At his confirmation hearing in July, Waltz remarked that U.N. revenue had “quadrupled in the last 20 years,” yet that growth has not correlated with increased peace.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring that U.S. contributions to international organizations, particularly the U.N., align with compelling national interests. As the U.S. navigates its role in the international community, the outcome of Waltz’s nomination and the challenges facing the U.N. will be closely watched.

This report includes contributions from Seung Min Kim of the Associated Press.