Senate Confirms Former FL Congressman Mike Waltz as UN Ambassador
On Friday, the Senate confirmed the former member of the Florida Congress and the Mike Waltz army’s green beret as president of President Donald Trump to the United Nations, fulfilling a critical diplomatic post a few days before the annual design of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Waltz’s confirmation came by a vote of 47 to 43 years, finishing months late in the Senate. While most of the Democrats opposed his appointment, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) expressed his support, citing his qualifications and experience. A republican, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), broke out with his party to vote against him, referring to the Waltz positions in the room linked to the withdrawals of American troops from Afghanistan.
The appointment allows Waltz to represent the United States during the high-level session of the next week of the United Nations General Assembly, where leaders of 193 Member States will meet for intensive diplomacy on pressing global issues, including the Russian war in Ukraine and the Israel campaign against Hamas.
During her July confirmation hearing, Waltz book A radical criticism of the United Nations, arguing that the body had become swollen and ineffective. He noted that the United Nations has been quadrupled over the past two decades without producing a comparable increase in peace and stability, and stressed that American taxpayers support a disproportionate share of costs. He observed how American contributions reached $ 13 billion in the last financial year, while some Member States have contributed minimum amounts.
Waltz prompted To put pressure for reforms, in particular the reduction of overlapping agencies, the fixing of clear mandates and the cost limits on peacekeeping missions and the support of the Secretary General’s plan to reduce staff by 20%. He drew from his military service in Africa and the Middle East to illustrate how help has often failed to reach those who need it due to bureaucratic ineffectiveness.
Another central theme of his testimony was the role of China within the UN. Waltz has challenged the favorable status that China enjoys as a “development nation”, although it is the second world economy, and warned against the growing influence of Beijing through international standard organizations. He swore to work in close collaboration with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to counter what he described as an erosion of fair competition and responsibility in the system.
Waltz also focused on what he described as the “systematic bias” of the UN against Israel. He drew attention to the figures showing that the General Assembly has adopted more than twice as many resolutions against Israel than against all other countries combined between 2015 and 2023. He targeted UNRWA, claiming that he employed Hamas personnel and taught anti -Semitic equipment, and called for his dismantling. »»
Supporters of his appointment underlined his service report, which includes time as colonel of the Green Béret, director of the policies of two defense secretaries and three mandates in the congress. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) greeted Him during the hearing as “one of the most qualified nominees” for the role in the history of the United States. Other Republicans have praised the accent on reform, the senses. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Jim Risch (R-ID) highlighting his pragmatism and his commitment to defend American taxpayers.
Waltz, invoked Ronald Reagan’s point of view on the UN as a forum that could either solve problems or spread discord, told senators that he intended to “do the UN again” by restoring his focus on peacekeeping and guaranteeing American sovereignty and interests remain at the forefront.
