Basil Gooden’s nomination to be USDA’s next Rural Development undersecretary has been confirmed by the Senate, ending the months-long nomination process.
The two fairly non-controversial nominations were set to be confirmed by voice vote in the Senate Wednesday afternoon, but Menendez objected just beforehand, derailing the effort to fast-track the con.
Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey has imposed a hold on two Biden administration nominees over his opposition to negotiations on border security.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) blocked the confirmation of two Senate nominees on Wednesday, protesting a “lack of responsiveness” from the Biden administration amid talks with Republicans over Ukraine aid and border security funding, according to Politico. Menendez blocked Basil Gooden’s nomination for the Department of Agriculture’s under-secretary of rural development and the renomination of Summer…