Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced Friday that seven Biden Administration nominees are being held up, including Eric Garcetti, a potential Ambassador to India.
Biden appointed Garcetti, the ex-mayor of Los Angeles, as his ambassador for July 2021. The Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to schedule a floor vote for his confirmation amid allegations that he covered-up sexual harassment and assaults by a top adviser. Rick Jacobs, the aide, was named by a police officer in a lawsuit. Other complainants have since come forward.
“One of these nominees ignored credible sexual assault allegations in his previous office. Another worked with solar panel companies in Xinjiang where egregious human right abuses have been committed. This list also includes an abortion extremist, someone without any diplomatic or investment experience, as well as an individual who supports a policy of engaging with Cuba’s brutal dictatorship. Rubio stated that he will not ignore these ridiculous nominations which will accelerate America’s decline.
Rubio is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which recommended Garcetti’s nomination in January 2022 by voice vote. The floor was blocked by Democratic Senators. Richard Blumenthal, Mark Kelly, Arizona, and Kirsten Gillibrand, New York, expressed concern over Garcetti’s alleged knowledge about Jacobs’ activities. Republican Iowa Sens. During the 117th Congress, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley placed hold on Garcetti.
A report commissioned to Grassley showed that Garcetti was “more likely than NOT” aware of Jacobs’ alleged harassment of Matthew Garza by the Los Angeles Police Department. It also revealed that Garcetti, former Garcetti communications director Naomi Seligman and Kirra Consulting partner Alec Evans as well as Anna Bahr, former deputy press secretary, knew of Jacobs’ alleged misconduct. Jacobs admitted to certain instances in a report that Leslie Ellis submitted to the City of Los Angeles.
Tuesday’s vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Garcetti will be held.
