US Senate Committee Narrowly Approves Mike Waltz UN Ambassador Nomination

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, by a vote of 12-10, advancing his confirmation to the full Senate. Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret and former national security adviser who was ousted after a scandal involving a Signal chat with a journalist, pledged to pursue sweeping reforms at the UN, targeting waste and inefficiencies while emphasizing America's global role. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the committee's top Democrat, was the sole Democrat to support Waltz, citing his moderating stance and opposition to isolationism, despite disagreeing with him on certain issues like his use of unclassified communication systems. Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed Waltz over his views on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, aligning with Democrats in voting against the nomination. Senate Republican leader John Thune indicated the possibility of delaying the August recess to expedite confirmation votes amid pressure from President Trump. The timing of the full Senate vote remains uncertain, but Waltz is considered one of the last major Trump nominees awaiting confirmation.