Eric Garcetti confirmed as ambassador to India

OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 8:43 AM PT – Thursday, March 16, 2023

The Senate voted 52:42 to confirm Eric Garcetti (former Mayor of Los Angeles) as the United States’ next ambassador to India.

For the 26th month, the U.S. ambassador post in India has been vacant. This is the longest tenure for this position. Garcetti was confirmed in the Senate by Joe Biden, a year after his nomination.

The Senate was split on the decision. The nomination was delayed partly because of concerns about Garcetti’s handling sexual misconduct claims against one his former aides during his time as mayor.

Garcetti, a prominent Democrat, was also co-chaired the presidential campaign of Biden. In July 2021, he was nominated to the position as Ambassador to India. The nomination process was halted by Senator Charles Grassley (R.Iowa), in March 2022.

Two months later, in May 20,22, Grassley issued a report detailing multiple allegations of sexual harassment. These accusations were levelled against Rick Jacobs, former Deputy Chief-of-Staff who worked with Garcetti during his time as Mayor of Los Angeles.

“Based on a preponderance of the evidence,” The report stated. “We conclude that Mayor Garcetti likely knew or should have known that Rick Jacobs was sexually harassing multiple individuals and making racist comments towards others.”

Garcetti claimed that he was unaware of any inappropriate behavior. Jacobs however stated that the 2020 sexual harassment lawsuit against Garcetti was a. “work of pure fiction” They deny the allegations.

Naomi Seligman, a former communications director for Garcetti, told CNN Monday that he was not the right choice for the job. She stated that Garcetti was not a good choice for the role. “unfit to become an ambassador or really hold to public office anywhere in this country or this world.”

“Unfortunately, the White House has put undue pressure on Democrats to vote for Eric Garcetti because Eric Garcetti has been a very, very loyal person to President Biden, and that’s unfortunate,” Seligman stated. “These senators that purport to support #MeToo cannot just do it when it’s politically expedient. They have to do it when it matters, even if it’s your own political party.”

The White House supported Garcetti, and expressed their confidence in him. However, there were some reservations among Democrats about these allegations.

On Wednesday morning, Democrats were again uncertain if the ex-mayor would receive the support necessary to pass a procedural vote. Although a few Democrats voted against him in the first round, enough Republicans voted for him and the nomination was confirmed.

During the nomination process Garcetti spoke to the committee and stated that his priorities were to promote economic and defense partnership, as well as “respect for human rights and strong democratic institutions.

“Our partnership is built on the human bonds that link our countries. These ties are embodied in the almost 200,000 Indian American students who strengthen our nation, and the tens of thousand of Indian professionals who support our economy.” he said. “Respect for human rights, strong democratic institutions, and other key elements of our strategic partner are also important. If confirmed, I will be engaging closely with the Indian government on this issue.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) commented on the procedure after the nomination was confirmed.

“The United States-India relationship has a vital role to play.” he said. “It’s very fortunate that we now have an Ambassador.”

The Republicans who had voted in favor of Garcetti were Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.). The Democrats that opposed the nomination were Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

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