The New York State Senate confirmed Denise Miranda as commissioner of the Division of Human Rights on Wednesday, approving the governor's nominees by voice and roll call and recording a 53–3 vote.

Senator Krueger urged colleagues to support Miranda, saying the nominees undergo “an extensive process” before reaching the floor and noting Miranda had served as acting commissioner for about 14 months. “When you believe you have been wronged and your fundamental human rights as defined in our constitution have been violated, we have a state agency that you can go to and file complaints and have investigations and hopefully get resolution,” Krueger said.

Senator Bailey also praised Miranda and said she has worked in public service and the community for many years. Senator Murray registered a formal objection to the Senate taking one bundled up-or-down vote on multiple nominees, arguing the practice shortchanges both nominees and the public; Murray said she would vote no for that reason. The clerk announced that the nominations were confirmed, with 53 senators voting in favor and three — Murray, Rhodes and White — recorded in the negative.

Miranda was among a long list of nominees reported by the Finance Committee; senators on the floor repeatedly described the confirmation process as involving committee vetting before placement on the floor calendar. The Senate’s action formally fills the post Miranda has held in an acting capacity and places her in the confirmed leadership role at the Division of Human Rights.

The vote concludes the nominations portion of the Senate’s calendar for the day; the session then moved on to other legislative business.