Overview

• Three Democrats — John Fetterman, Mark Kelly and Jeanne Shaheen — voted yes, while Rand Paul was the sole Republican to oppose the nomination.
• Months of delays included procedural objections and a committee do-over, with Shaheen’s backing secured alongside a commitment to release $75 million in previously authorized assistance.
• Waltz was reassigned from his national security adviser role after admitting he mistakenly added a journalist to a Signal chat discussing potential strikes in Yemen.
• At his hearing, he called for major U.N. reforms, a review of U.S. funding, efforts to counter China’s influence and action against antisemitism within the institution.
• The confirmation fills the last Cabinet-level vacancy, with career diplomat Dorothy Shea having led the U.S. Mission to the U.N. in an acting capacity during the gap.