It’s the prerogative, I think of any senator to put a hold on a particular Senate action, US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said, when commenting on the decision of Senator Robert Menendez to “freeze” the process of confirmation of Richard Hoagland as US Ambassador to Armenia. Sean McCormack also noted, “In this case, our nominee has been reported out of committee to the floor of the Senate. We think that he should have an up-or-down vote. We think that given the opportunity that he will get the 51 votes required for confirmation. So we would hope the Senate would move forward on it,” says a release at the US Senate website.
We remind that in blocking the Hoagland nomination, Sen. Menendez stressed that, “as a leader and defender of democracy, it is our nation’s responsibility to speak out against injustice and support equality and human rights. But if the Bush Administration continues to refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, then there is certainly cause for great alarm, which is why I am placing a hold on this nominee.” He added that, “I will continue to work with my colleagues in the United States Senate to make strides toward ensuring that all people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, receive protection from policies of discrimination and hate that lead to genocide.”
