Rabat – The US Senate is taking an unprecedented amount of time to confirm its ambassadors. The prospective Ambassador to Morocco,David Fischer, is still waiting 586 days after his nomination by President Donald Trump.
The delay is a stark contrast from previous administrations, with the past four US ambassadors to Morocco only having to wait on average 94 days.
A communiqué in 2017 first announced that President Donald Trump had nominated American businessman David T. Fischer to be the next US ambassador to Morocco, but nothing stirred in the Senate.
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In January of this year, federal documents indicated that the Senate failed to confirm Fischer as US ambassador to Rabat. Congressional records for January 4 indicate Fischer was among the nominees for high-ranking federal positions whose nominations had been sent back for presidential consideration.
President Trump stood by his decision, nominating the car dealer from Michigan, known for being a major Republican donor, for a second time.
Fischer contributed $250,000 to President Trump’s inauguration funds, and his nomination to the post US ambassador has been largely perceived in US policy circles as an expression of gratitude for Fischer’s contribution to President Trump’s inauguration.
However, six months after the second nomination, the Senate is still in a standstill. For now, Stephany Miley is holding her position as charge d’affaires.
David Fisher is not the only ambassador waiting to be appointed, with Doug Manchester at the top of the list. The nominee to be envoy to the Bahamas, has already waited 785 days, while a slew of others have already waited between 500-600 days.
The delay is mostly likely due to ongoing clashes between Republicans and Democrats occupying the Senate. Republican President Donald Trump has pointed the finger at the Democrats, tweeting at the Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in December 2018, during the government shutdown:
“Heads of countries are calling wanting to know why Senator Schumer is not approving their otherwise approved Ambassadors!? Likewise in Government lawyers and others are being delayed at a record pace!”
“360 great and hardworking people are waiting for approval from Senator Schumer, more than a year longer than any other Administration in history. These are people who have been approved by committees and all others, yet Schumer continues to hold them back from serving their Country! Very Unfair!” Trump tweeted.
