Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was finally confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, March 15, to serve as the United States ambassador to India, 20 months after being nominated by President Joe Biden.
Garcetti, who was confirmed in a 52-42 vote, was nominated in July 2021, but his nomination languished for months in the Senate as some speculated that he knew, or should have known, about allegations of assault and sexual harassment by a former top aide to Garcetti.
A move by Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer to back Garcetti to become the ambassador to India came amid a rekindled campaign against Garcetti, who has repeatedly denied any knowledge of sexual harassment accusations against his former longtime confidante, Rick Jacobs.
The vacancy in the ambassadorship had created a significant diplomatic gap for the Biden administration at a time of rising global tensions, including China’s increasingly assertive presence in the Pacific region and Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Some who work in D.C. raised concerns that leaving the post vacant would send a message that the U.S. did not view relations with India to be important.
To be confirmed on Wednesday, Democrat Garcetti needed the support of some Republicans in the Senate.
Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine indicated that she would support Garcetti’s nomination.
“I met with him personally. He clearly has an enormous amount of expertise about India,” Collins said. “India’s been two years without an ambassador, and that is far too long. And I am going to support him.”
At issue over the past 20 months was whether Garcetti was aware of the alleged behavior of his longtime advisor, Jacobs. A lawsuit claims that Jacobs repeatedly harassed one of Garcetti’s police bodyguards.
Garcetti has denied allegations that he was aware of and dismissed Jacobs’ actions.
An investigation requested by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, last year concluded that it was “more…
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