Cruz cannot completely block Biden’s nominees but he has slowed the process by objecting to the Senate’s practice of confirming uncontroversial nominees by “unanimous consent.” This tactic means that each nominee requires hours of Senate floor time, The New York Times reported…

Manchin, a centrist who this week voted with the Republicans in a symbolic move to roll back COVID-19 vaccine mandates, told CNN that the blockade of diplomats was “wrong” and that he would be open to changing the Senate rules, with GOP support.

“I think the Republicans would be in for that too,” he told the network, which reported that Manchin is involved in discussions “to work around” Cruz.

Other key Republicans, such as Cruz’s fellow Texas Senator John Cornyn as well as Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), also told CNN it was important to get diplomats in place in countries crucial to U.S. interests, such as China, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Japan.