According to a report from Fox News, things have stalled on the highway to the ambassadorship to India for the former mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti.
The bump in the road is Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.
Senator Rubio has halted the forward progress of Garcettis nomination, causing it to stall because he has ignored credible sexual assault accusations in his prior office. Rubio said in a statement, I will not turn a blind eye to these absurd nominations, which will hasten Americas decline.
Along with Garcetti, Rubio has placed a hold on six others nominated by Biden. Anytime a hold is placed by a senator against a nominee, there can be no quick approval by unanimous consent, which slows down the process and halts the confirmation.
In last years Congress, Garcettis nomination was kicked to the curb for many months until it was no longer viable and expired. He was renominated for a second time this year, even though there was an investigation by Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, about sexual misconduct during Garcettis time as mayor.
Grassley concluded that Garcetti likely knew or should have known that Rick Jacobs, Garcettis top advisor, was allegedly making racist remarks and harassment of city employees.
Grassleys report includes descriptions of Jacobss racist remarks at his office toward Chinese, Black, and Indian employees. The report also provides information about Jacobs inappropriate comments, sexual advances, and unwanted kissing and touching.
Garcettis report found that Investigators believe this allegation is credible because it fits the behavior described by several other senior staff members in Mayor Garcettis office and because of its similarity to allegations in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges Garcetti witnessed the behavior on multiple occasions but chose to laugh it off.
In December 2021, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing. Garcetti explained to those on the committee considering his nomination that he had never witnessed Jacobs sexually harass his police bodyguards.
The White House responded to Grassleys report calling it a partisan hit job, and continues to offer support for Garcellis nomination. A White House official said Garcetti is well qualified to serve in this vital role. He was voted out of committee with strong bipartisan support, and were hopeful that the full Senate will confirm him promptly, according to Fox News Digital.
On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to consider the fate of Garcettis nomination.
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