President Obama’s pick for ambassador to Mexico has been confirmed by the Senate after enduring a nearly nine-month block by former presidential candidate Marco Rubio.
Roberta Jacobson, the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, was approved by voice vote Thursday evening.
Back in November, Rubio, a senator from Florida, objected to her nomination because of her work negotiating the Obama administration’s normalization with Cuba. At the time, Rubio had been in the midst of a running a campaign for president.
Jacobson was selected by Obama in June of 2015, after his previous choice, Maria Echaveste, withdrew in January of the same year. Jacobson was approved by the foreign relations committee in early November by a 12-7 vote in which Rubio voted against her.
“He’s out there running for president. He has ample opportunity to make his case about the policy,” Secretary of State John Kerry said of Rubio in February. “But don’t punish the country because you’re angry about what happened.”
According to a report, Rubio caved on his block of Jacobson in a deal that saw a three-year extension of his 2014 law that slapped sanctions on Venezuela for human rights violations. Rubio’s bill was also agreed to, by unanimous consent.
After hearing news of Jacobson’s confirmation, Kerry expressed his approval of the “distinguished diplomat.”
“Nine months after her nomination, I’m pleased to say we are sending one of our finest diplomats to advance this important relationship,” he said in a statement, adding that Jacobson has a “tremendous service record in the State Department.”
Senate Republicans, who didn’t all line up behind Rubio’s blockade of Jacobson’s nomination, also shared their support.
Sen. Jeff Flake said earlier this week that the U.S. had gone long enough without an ambassador to Mexico, saying the partnership between the neighboring countries “will suffer” without the nomination of an ambassador. Jabobson is “eminently qualified,” the Arizona Republican added.
“The United States’ relationship with Mexico is essential to our country’s economy and security, and our Ambassador serves as a critical nexus for this partnership,” said Sen. Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, Thursday evening. “Today is a key step towards filling what is a crucial diplomatic post not just to Texas, but for the nation as a whole.”
Jacobson is now clear to become the first woman to hold the coveted post in Mexico City.
