Republicans help save Garcetti nomination for India ambassador

The Senate on Wednesday advanced the nomination of former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) to become the next U.S. ambassador to India, with Republicans crossing the aisle to help tee him up for a final confirmation vote later in the day.

The vote, which required a simple majority to pass, came down to the wire as some Democrats declared last-minute opposition while a handful of Republicans announced votes for Garcetti. Just an hour before the vote, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) wasn’t sure how the vote would turn out.

The Senate ultimately voted 52-42 to pave the way for Garcetti to be confirmed to the vacant post as the top diplomat with one of the U.S.’s top strategic partners.