The US Senate is unable to reach agreement on the approval of thirteen candidates for important diplomatic posts in the State Department due to objections from Republican Ted Cruz. This is reported by NBC News, citing sources.
As the newspaper emphasizes, he is thus trying to force the Joe Biden administration to take more stringent measures against the Nord Stream-2 pipeline. It is noted that the work of the elected candidates will not be related to the US policy towards the Russian project.
According to media reports, the list includes Brett Holmgren, who is to become Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence, and Daniel Critenbrink, who is named Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, and others.
In turn, other opponents of Nord Stream-2 did not support Ted Cruz, reports NBC News. According to their information, this is not the first time the senator has used such tactics. Previously, a similar situation developed during the reign of Marriage Obama.