Senate confirms Waltz as U.N. ambassador, cabinet vacancy filled

The Senate confirmed Michael Waltz on Friday as the United States ambassador to the United Nations, clearing the final Cabinet vacancy in President Donald Trump’s administration after eight months of delays and the withdrawal of an earlier nominee. The vote was 47 to 43, largely along party lines, with a handful of Democrats joining Republicans and one Republican breaking ranks, senators said.

Waltz’s nomination had been returned to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week after Democrats argued it was not properly reported to the full chamber because of earlier use of proxy or voice votes. The committee reapproved Waltz on Wednesday by an 11 to 10 margin, with ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, voting yes and Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, voting no. Ten senators did not vote on the final confirmation, aides said.

A former member of the House and Trump’s national security adviser until his removal in May, Waltz was nominated to the U.N. post after being taken off the White House national security team amid controversy. Reports said Waltz inadvertently added an Atlantic journalist to a Signal messaging group in which senior officials...