Senate confirms ambassadorships

The Senate cleared several State Department nominations on Friday.

In a 61-36 vote, the Senate confirmed David Saperstein to be U.S. ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.

{mosads}Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Secretary of State John Kerry called him to request that the Senate clear all pending State nominations before the end of the Congress.

The Senate was able to confirm several other ambassadorships by voice-vote on Friday. A list follows:

– Robert Barber to be U.S. ambassador to Iceland.

– Mark Gilbert to be U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.

– Amy Hyatt to be U.S. ambassador to Palau.

– Arnold Chacon to be Director General of the Foreign Service.

– Virginia Palmer to be U.S. ambassador to Malawi.

– Donald Heflin to be U.S. ambassador to Cabo Verde.

– Michael Kempner to be a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

– Leon Aron to be a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.