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Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzFlake, Cindy McCain among latest Biden ambassadors confirmed after delay Overnight Health Care — Presented by Carequest — Colin Powell's death highlights risks for immunocompromised The Senate confirmation process is broken — Senate Democrats can fix it MORE blocked a Democratic push to approve a handful of State Department nominees on Wednesday, even though the Texas Republican is far from D.C., campaigning in New Hampshire.
Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPatience wears thin as Democrats miss deadlines Crucial talks on Biden agenda enter homestretch It's time to make access to quality kidney care accessible and equitable for all MORE (Md.), Jeanne Shaheen
Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenPaid family leave proposal at risk Progressives push back on decision to shrink Biden's paid family leave program Defense & National Security — Military starts giving guidance on COVID-19 vaccine refusals MORE (N.H.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) tried to get unanimous consent for the Senate to confirm a handful of President Obama's State nominees, including Thomas Shannon to be an under secretary.
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPatience wears thin as Democrats miss deadlines Crucial talks on Biden agenda enter homestretch It's time to make access to quality kidney care accessible and equitable for all MORE (Md.), Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenPaid family leave proposal at risk Progressives push back on decision to shrink Biden's paid family leave program Defense & National Security — Military starts giving guidance on COVID-19 vaccine refusals MORE (N.H.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) tried to get unanimous consent for the Senate to confirm a handful of President Obama's State nominees, including Thomas Shannon to be an under secretary.ADVERTISEMENT
Sen. Mike Lee
Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeTikTok, Snapchat seek to distance themselves from Facebook Cawthorn, Lee introduce bills banning interstate travel vaccine mandate Retreating economy creates new hurdle for Democrats in 2022 MORE (R-Utah), however, objected to each of the nominations, noting that he was doing so on behalf of Cruz. The presidential candidate has pledged to block State Department nominees over the Iran nuclear deal.
Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeTikTok, Snapchat seek to distance themselves from Facebook Cawthorn, Lee introduce bills banning interstate travel vaccine mandate Retreating economy creates new hurdle for Democrats in 2022 MORE (R-Utah), however, objected to each of the nominations, noting that he was doing so on behalf of Cruz. The presidential candidate has pledged to block State Department nominees over the Iran nuclear deal. Cardin called Cruz's objections a "master class in needless partisan obstruction."
The Maryland Democrat, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, added that if senators won't stop blocking nominations then Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) should file cloture, which would force a procedural vote.
Shaheen said that it was "ironic" that the nominations are "being held up in many cases by a member of this body that's out on the campaign trail."
"He's not here dealing with the work of the country," she added, saying the nominations were being "held up for political reasons."
It's not the first time Cruz has blocked State Department nominations.
Cardin previously tried to get consent to pass seven State nominations late last year, but the Texas Republican objected then, too.
Shaheen also tried to get consent to confirm Adam Szubin to be an under secretary for terrorism and financial crimes for the Treasury Department. Democrats have repeatedly pointed to Szubin's nomination to criticize Republicans for holding up national security nominations.
Lee, however, objected to Shaheen's request on behalf of Sen. Richard Shelby
Richard Craig ShelbyBlack Hawk pilot shot down in Somalia jumps into Alabama Senate race Senate Democrats ditch Hyde amendment for first time in decades Senate Democrats unveil remaining spending bills, teeing up clash with Republicans MORE (R-Ala.), who chairs the Banking Committee.
Richard Craig ShelbyBlack Hawk pilot shot down in Somalia jumps into Alabama Senate race Senate Democrats ditch Hyde amendment for first time in decades Senate Democrats unveil remaining spending bills, teeing up clash with Republicans MORE (R-Ala.), who chairs the Banking Committee. Shaheen said that while Shelby was in Washington on Wednesday, "it's disappointing that he's not on the floor to talk about what his objections to Adam Szubin are."
Shelby also blocked a handful of Banking Committee nominees late last year.
