Cruz, Schumer cut deal to allow ambassador confirmations in exchange for Nord Steam Pipeline vote

Senate Democrats reached a deal overnight with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in which he agreed to end his hold on dozens of U.S. ambassadorship confirmations in exchange for a vote on his legislation in opposition to the Nord Steam 2 pipeline. 

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday morning announced the deal, in which Cruz's legislation would be debated and voted on by mid-January, according to CNN. 

Cruz opposes the Biden administration's policy on the pipeline, which will carry natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. And his legislation seeks to impose sanctions on it.

The Texas lawmaker argues the pipeline it will strengthen Russia and make Germany dependent on Russia for its energy supply, while some fellow Republicans express concern that his ambassadorship blockade could jeopardize U.S diplomacy and the country's world influence, CNN also reports. 

"Major victory: When the Senate reconvenes, we'll finally have a vote on sanctioning Putin's pipeline," Cruz tweeted Saturday afternoon. "And if senators value national security & are willing to stand up to Putin, we should vote overwhelmingly to sanction NordStream2."

Among those confirmed were Rahm Emanuel, a former Chicago mayor and White House chief of staff for President Obama, as U.S. ambassador to Japan.