Senate OKs Baucus as ambassador

The Senate easily confirmed longtime Sen. Max Baucus on Thursday to become ambassador to China, handing the job to a lawmaker well-versed in U.S. trade policy but with little expertise about military and other issues that have caused tensions in recent years with Beijing.

Senators gave final approval to the nomination of the moderate Baucus, D-Mont., by a 96-0 margin. Baucus, trim and youthful looking for his 72 years, accepted colleagues’ congratulations before and during the roll call and voted “present” for his own nomination.

Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Baucus has worked with Republicans during his 35 years in the Senate on issues ranging from taxes to health care reform — an independent streak that at times has vexed his Democratic colleagues.

Baucus supported GOP President George W. Bush’s sweeping 2001 tax cuts and his 2003 creation of Medicare prescription drug benefits, despite opposition by most Democrats.

He also helped write President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul, which was enacted in 2010. Congress approved that measure solely with Democratic votes after Baucus spent months trying to craft a bipartisan version with Republicans.

“His passion is well-known to all of us, his decades of experience here in Congress. He’s an excellent choice that President Obama made to represent America’s interests in China,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.