Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s nomination as ambassador to India was re-cleared by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after he denied allegations that he knew about sexual harassment allegations by a former top aide.
The committee voted 13-8 in favor of his nomination, per politics. Two Republicans, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), joined Democrats in supporting his nomination. Senator James Risch (R-ID), the leading member of the committee that endorsed Garcetti’s nomination in the last Congress, opposed this time.
Garcetti’s nomination passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unopposed in January 2021. But it was delayed all year when Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), responding to a whistleblower complaint, produced a Senate report that Garcetti “probably knew or should have known” about alleged sexual harassment by a former top assistant, Rick Jacobs. The report was fueled by allegations by Garcetti’s former communications director, Naomi Seligman, who is now vice president of external affairs, that she assisted whistleblowers. In a statement, she said: “Today’s vote, especially on International Women’s Day, shows a real difference between the rhetoric we hear from elected leaders who claim to support sexual harassment in the workplace and the pace they will come up with next. . . . party loyalty will be obtained. It is disheartening to say the least.”
In a confirmation hearing and in press interviews, Garcetti claimed he was unaware of the claims against Jacobs, who also denied the harassment allegations.
President Joe Biden appointed Garcetti as ambassador when the new Congress convened in January.
It is unclear when Garcetti’s nomination will be in the Senate.
Earlier this week, Biden’s nominee for the FCC, Gigi Sohn, withdrew. Her nomination was also delayed by more than a year.
Source: Deadline
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
