© Getty Images
Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSunday shows - All eyes on Senate impeachment trial Cruz: Hearing from witnesses could extend Senate trial to up to 8 weeks Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers gear up for Senate impeachment trial 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 CardinNew Parnas evidence escalates impeachment witnesses fight Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment Senate confirms Trump pick for small business chief MORE (Md.), Jeanne Shaheen
Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne Shaheen2020 forecast: A House switch, a slimmer Senate for GOP — and a bigger win for Trump Lewandowski decides against Senate bid Biden would consider Republican for VP 'but I can't think of one right now' 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 CardinNew Parnas evidence escalates impeachment witnesses fight Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment Senate confirms Trump pick for small business chief MORE (Md.), Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne Shaheen2020 forecast: A House switch, a slimmer Senate for GOP — and a bigger win for Trump Lewandowski decides against Senate bid Biden would consider Republican for VP 'but I can't think of one right now' 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 LeeSenators are politicians, not jurors — they should act like it Sens. Kaine, Lee: 'We should not be at war with Iran unless Congress authorizes it' Overnight Defense: War powers fight runs into impeachment | Kaine has 51 votes for Iran resolution | Trump plans to divert .2B from Pentagon to border wall 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 LeeSenators are politicians, not jurors — they should act like it Sens. Kaine, Lee: 'We should not be at war with Iran unless Congress authorizes it' Overnight Defense: War powers fight runs into impeachment | Kaine has 51 votes for Iran resolution | Trump plans to divert .2B from Pentagon to border wall 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 ShelbyGOP senator on Trump soliciting foreign interference: 'Those are just statements' Sunday shows - All eyes on Senate impeachment trial GOP senator says it looks like House has 'weak hand' MORE (R-Ala.), who chairs the Banking Committee.
Richard Craig ShelbyGOP senator on Trump soliciting foreign interference: 'Those are just statements' Sunday shows - All eyes on Senate impeachment trial GOP senator says it looks like House has 'weak hand' 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.
