The Senate on Monday confirmed Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, to also serve as the U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly.

Waltz, formerly President Trump’s national security adviser, was confirmed in a 54-45 vote. Three Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), joined most Republicans in supporting his nomination, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote no.

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Waltz’s role required the Senate to hold two separate votes because the roles of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and representative to the U.N. General Assembly are legally distinct positions under the United Nations Participation Act. While the same person often fills both, each requires its own confirmation since they carry separate statutory authorities and responsibilities. Waltz was confirmed as ambassador to the U.N. on Sept. 19.

In his first week at the U.N., Waltz used the General Assembly to call for the release of hostages held by Hamas and, in a Security Council address, warned Russia against testing NATO by expanding hostilities into allied airspace.

Waltz, a former Florida congressman and national security adviser, was nominated in May after he was removed from his White House post for mistakenly including a journalist from The Atlantic in a secure Signal chat where military strike plans were being discussed. 

His nomination was one of dozens of Trump picks delayed for months by Democrats, who refused to provide support for many of the president’s appointments. That standoff pushed Senate Republicans to change chamber rules to allow blocs of nominees to be advanced on party-line votes. Monday’s action marked one of the first tests of the new system.

The path to confirmation was unusually rocky. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee first advanced Waltz’s nomination in July, aided by the panel’s top Democrat, Sen. Shaheen (D-NH). But Democrats later objected to the use of proxy and voice votes, sending his nomination back to the committee earlier this month. He was re-approved by the panel in an 11–10 vote, after Shaheen again voted in favor and Sen. Paul opposed him. Paul did not detail his objections but raised concerns over Waltz’s past positions on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Behind the scenes, Republicans secured Shaheen’s support by agreeing to release foreign aid funding she had pressed for, clearing the way for Waltz to advance with a favorable committee recommendation.

WALTZ SEATED AT UN AHEAD OF LEADERS SUMMIT WHERE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR WILL BE AT FORE

With Monday’s final vote, Waltz takes on dual responsibilities at the United Nations: serving as both ambassador and General Assembly representative.