Ted Cruz releases holds on Biden nominees as administration looks to gets tough on Russia pipeline – By Andrew Desiderio, Martin Matishak and Natasha Bertrand (Politico) / Mar 18 2021
Sen. Ted Cruz lifted his holds on two of President Joe Biden’s top nominees on Thursday after the State Department indicated it would punish entities involved in the construction of a controversial Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline.
© Greg Nash/Pool via AP Sen. Ted Cruz has led a bipartisan group of senators pushing for sanctions that would stifle the Russian pipeline, known as Nord Stream 2.
In a statement Thursday, the Texas Republican said he would no longer delay Senate confirmation of William Burns, Biden’s nominee for CIA director, and Brian McKeon, Biden’s choice for deputy secretary of State for management and resources. The Senate confirmed both nominations unanimously later Thursday.
Cruz — who has led a bipartisan group of senators pushing for sanctions that would stifle the pipeline, known as Nord Stream 2 — said he decided to allow the nominations to proceed after Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a “strong declaration” hinting at future sanctions.
