Key facts
- The U.S. Senate confirmed dozens of President Donald Trump's nominees, including ambassadors and top State Department officials.
- The confirmations fill key diplomatic roles and establish a Republican majority on the National Labor Relations Board.
- David Cummins was confirmed to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- The Senate approved a list of 74 nominations by a 51-47 vote along party lines.
- A diplomatic spat with Brazil has complicated the confirmation of Daniel Perez as ambassador to Brazil, leading to the revocation of Brazil's ambassador's visa.
The U.S. Senate confirmed dozens of President Donald Trump's nominees on Friday, including high-profile ambassadorships and top State Department posts. The list included 11 ambassadors to foreign nations, such as Australia, Norway, and Brazil, along with five people nominated to ambassador-rank positions. This action fills some of the more than 100 vacant ambassadorial positions. The Senate approved the slate of 74 nominations by a 51-47 vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats and independents opposed.
Key diplomatic roles were also filled with the confirmation of six assistant secretary of state nominees, covering regions like the Middle East, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere. However, the appointment of Daniel Perez as ambassador to Brazil faces complications due to a diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and Brazil, which led to the U.S. revoking the visa of Brazil's ambassador in Washington.
Among the confirmed nominees were former Republican U.S. House member David Brat as ambassador to Australia and Michael Kavoukjian as ambassador to Norway. In parallel, the Senate confirmed James Macy and David Prouty to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), establishing a Republican majority on the five-member board. This confirmation also included David Cummins to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), amidst the administration's proposals for TSA budget cuts and privatization of security screeners at smaller airports.