Garcetti confirmation vote likely delayed another month due to expanded GOP probe

A key Senate Republican stated will probably be a minimum of one other month earlier than he finishes an investigation into whether or not Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was conscious on the time of a high aide’s alleged sexual harassment of others within the mayor’s workplace, probably additional delaying any Senate motion on Garcetti’s nomination to be ambassador to India.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) stated he would proceed the work a minimum of via the Senate’s subsequent recess, which is because of finish April 25.

“I don’t have a particular date after we’re going to get executed, however I do know it received’t be till after we get again after the recess,” Grassley stated in a quick interview within the Capitol.

Grassley’s inquiry is the most recent delay in Garcetti’s nomination course of, elevating new questions on Capitol Hill about when or whether or not he might be confirmed. Grassley put a maintain on Garcetti’s nomination earlier this month, saying info he’s obtained from a whistleblower must be investigated.

President Biden nominated Garcetti to the submit eight months in the past.

Garcetti has stated underneath oath and earlier than Congress that he didn’t know concerning the allegations towards his aide, Rick Jacobs, and if he had, he would have executed one thing about it. Jacobs has denied the allegations.

A Democratic senator on Tuesday stated she, too, would really like extra info on Garcetti’s denial.

“I perceive that he testified he didn’t know something about it. I’d identical to to get additional corroboration on that state of affairs,” stated Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who since 2018 has been asking each judicial nominee about whether or not they have ever been accused of sexual assault or harassment. “I’m nonetheless gathering info. I’m not ready to let you know by some means right now,” she stated when discussing whether or not she has any issues concerning the nomination.

Grassley declined to characterize any conclusions his investigation may draw. He stated final week he would lengthen the probe after listening to from extra whistleblowers and acquiring the ultimate copy of a report summarizing a city-funded investigation.

The report, which probed a Los Angeles police officer’s allegations towards Jacobs, cleared the mayor, however critics say it additionally overlooked info that may have bolstered the officer’s claims.

Grassley stated he should develop the investigation as a result of the town report had an “extraordinarily slender scope,” and didn’t cowl allegations that Jacobs sexually harassed Garcetti’s senior employees and made racist feedback to employees in entrance of Garcetti.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate International Relations Committee, questioned how a lot time Grassley was taking over the report.

“This nominee has been hanging on the market a very long time,” Menendez stated. “Impulsively, now we have an investigation. You understand, I ponder whether it’s as a result of there’s one thing to really be pursued? Or is it simply, you recognize, the method of delay.”

He insisted his committee did a “thorough vetting” of Garcetti, because it does for each nominee. “Now, if anyone comes forth after we do our vetting and says one thing, we actually will think about it if it’s delivered to our consideration,” he stated.

Among the Senate’s strongest advocates towards sexual harassment have been silent on the difficulty.

“You must speak to International Relations about it,” stated Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who helped lead the 2018 battle to reform how sexual harassment claims towards lawmakers are dealt with in Congress.

“I’ll look into it and I’ll let you recognize,” stated Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has fought towards sexual misconduct within the navy, when requested if she was accustomed to the nomination.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who questioned Garcetti on the subject throughout his December affirmation listening to, stated she was “happy” together with his assertion that he didn’t learn about Jacobs’ conduct.

On the listening to, Garcetti stated, “I need to say unequivocally that I by no means witnessed, nor was it delivered to my consideration, the conduct that’s been alleged, and I additionally need to guarantee you if it had been, I might have instantly taken motion to cease that.”

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who’s among the many Republicans most definitely to help a Democratic nominee, stated she “completely” deliberate to look into the allegations earlier than any potential flooring vote.

“I’ve learn press accounts that there’re points involving some allegations of sexual abuse, however I didn’t know something past that,” she stated.

Naomi Seligman, a former Garcetti spokesperson, filed a criticism with the Justice Division final month demanding that Garcetti be prosecuted for perjury for denying that he knew about Jacobs’ alleged misconduct. She has been in contact with 20 senators’ workplaces to talk out towards his affirmation.

“We’re inspired by our conferences on either side of the aisle,” she stated. “It’s heartening to see so many Senate workplaces deal with this subject with the seriousness it deserves.”

Democrats management the Senate, 50-50, with the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris. If Garcetti can retain the help of all 50 Democrats, he can win affirmation with none Republican votes.

Occasions employees author Dakota Smith in Los Angeles contributed to this report.