In the midst of major political turmoil, fiery rhetoric, sanctions, violence in eastern Ukraine and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, America’s new diplomatic envoy to Russia almost didn’t get confirmed by the Senate.
On Thursday night, a Republican senator refused to confirm John F. Tefft as the new ambassador to Russia as payback for a procedural change made by the Democrats last year, The Associated Press reported.
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) said he blocked the vote for diplomatic appointments, including Tefft, because of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s decision to limit filibusters for most presidential nominations.
“We used to pass ambassadors …read more
Source: The Huffington Post
