Ted Cruz holding up all State Department nominees over Russian pipeline

[libertybele]

Ted Cruz holding up all State Department nominees over Russian pipeline

WASHINGTON - The Senate’s push to confirm nominees to critical diplomatic positions has ground to a halt over objections from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is holding up all State Department nominees to pressure the Biden administration over Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, four people with knowledge of the situation told NBC News.

Thirteen nominees approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are in indefinite limbo as Cruz delays full Senate confirmation in an effort to get the administration to reverse its waiver of sanctions on the company overseeing the pipeline's construction. In most cases, the nominees would fill roles unrelated to U.S. policy toward the pipeline, which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany.

Among those being blocked are Brett Holmgren, awaiting confirmation as assistant secretary of State for intelligence, and Daniel Kritenbrink, tapped for assistant secretary overseeing East Asia and Pacific affairs. Two undersecretaries — some of the most senior roles in the department — are also being held up, including one that oversees human rights and democracy..........

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/ted-cruz-holding-all-state-department-nominees-over-russian-pipeline-n1273009

[Elderberry]

Cruz previously held up key Biden nominations over his concerns about the pipeline, including CIA Director William Burns and Deputy Secretary of State Brian McKeon. But the senator ultimately allowed those nominations to proceed after the Biden administration indicated in March that it would slap sanctions on companies building the pipeline.

The State Department did impose sanctions on some Russian ships and entities involved in the pipeline, but waived them on the company behind the pipeline, to the dismay of Republicans and Democrats alike who oppose the nearly complete conduit. The Biden administration said it was in U.S. national security interests to waive the sanctions, which are opposed by U.S. ally Germany.

[sneakypete]

@libertybele

He will act like this and rant and rave until he starts to be taken seriously,and then he will once again fade into the background.

Maybe/probably the smartest man in the US Senate,and he has no balls at all.

[Cyber Liberty]

Cruz previously held up key Biden nominations over his concerns about the pipeline, including CIA Director William Burns and Deputy Secretary of State Brian McKeon. But the senator ultimately allowed those nominations to proceed after the Biden administration indicated in March that it would slap sanctions on companies building the pipeline.

The State Department did impose sanctions on some Russian ships and entities involved in the pipeline, but waived them on the company behind the pipeline, to the dismay of Republicans and Democrats alike who oppose the nearly complete conduit. The Biden administration said it was in U.S. national security interests to waive the sanctions, which are opposed by U.S. ally Germany.

Ted proves once again an important consideration in negotiations.  He traded something of value (Confirmation) for a promise (sanctions will be applied).  Republicans fall for this every time.  Democrats too, when it's something like the Iranian nuke deal.

[libertybele]

@libertybele

He will act like this and rant and rave until he starts to be taken seriously,and then he will once again fade into the background.

Maybe/probably the smartest man in the US Senate,and he has no balls at all.

He has grown a pair since he was first elected @sneakypete and especially since he's seen Trump in action.

[240B]

It is time.
Time for all the Free States to free themselves.
Obviously Washington D.C. is a complete disaster.
How much longer to we tolerate this?
Separate now! Like a bandaid, just pull it off.

[libertybele]

It is time.
Time for all the Free States to free themselves.
Obviously Washington D.C. is a complete disaster.
How much longer to we tolerate this?
Separate now! Like a bandaid, just pull it off.

It's just a matter of time before the bandaids come off.

[sneakypete]

Ted proves once again an important consideration in negotiations.  He traded something of value (Confirmation) for a promise (sanctions will be applied).  Republicans fall for this every time.  Democrats too, when it's something like the Iranian nuke deal.

Yeah,like he and his co-conspirators were shocked,SHOCKED,AH TELLS YA,that the Dims backed away from their promises.

Not to worry,though. NEXT time they will stick to their words after we compromise with them.

Honest.

Would I lie to you?

[sneakypete]

He has grown a pair since he was first elected @sneakypete and especially since he's seen Trump in action.

@libertybele
.
No offense,but I will believe it when I see it