The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.N. ambassador, in a 12-10 vote on Thursday. The decision sets the stage for a full Senate confirmation vote, though no date has been announced.
Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida, previously served as Trump’s national security adviser but was removed in May following a controversy over a Signal chat involving top aides and a journalist. Despite the scandal, Trump quickly nominated him to the U.N. post, emphasizing his national security expertise and assertive stance on global affairs.
The committee vote reflected rare bipartisan shifts. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen supported Waltz after securing commitments from the State Department to release $50 million in disaster relief for Haiti and $25 million for Nigeria. Conversely, Republican Senator Rand Paul joined Democrats in opposing the nomination. Shaheen cited disagreements with Waltz over his handling of sensitive communications but described him as a moderating voice who rejects isolationism.
Senate Republican leader John Thune has suggested delaying the chamber’s August recess to expedite confirmations, echoing Trump’s call on Truth Social for swift votes on his nominees.
During his confirmation hearing, Waltz pledged to push for U.N. reforms and strengthen U.S. influence to counter China, declaring, “We can make the U.N. great again.” His confirmation would fill one of the final key foreign policy roles in the Trump administration.
The upcoming vote will test bipartisan support as lawmakers balance concerns over past controversies with the need for strong U.S. representation at the United Nations amid escalating global tensions.