The Senate will soon vote on President Trump’s long-stalled nominee to serve as ambassador to Germany.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed cloture on Richard Grenell’s nomination, which starts a clock on a series of votes that will ultimately lead to his likely confirmation by a simple majority.
McConnell’s move comes after Grenell met with Trump recently about the delay. Grenell, a gay conservative, was nominated in September but has faced opposition from Democrats.
McConnell Tuesday also filed cloture on Mike Pompeo, Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of state. Pompeo won the approval Monday of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a party-line vote.
Most Democrats are opposed to Pompeo, although a trio of red-state Democrats facing tough re-election bids said they will back Pompeo, who is currently serving as CIA director.
Trump tweeted Monday about the two nominees, blaming Democrats for trying to block them.
“Hard to believe Obstructionists May vote against Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State,” Trump tweeted. “The Dems will not approve hundreds of good people, including the Ambassador to Germany. They are maxing out the time on approval process for all, never happened before. Need more Republicans!”
The Senate is slated to vote no Pompeo on Thursday, unless Democrats agree to a shorter debate.
Lawmakers would vote on Grenell some time after the vote on Pompeo.
Grenell drew criticism from Democrats who said he was critical of women, namely Hillary Clinton, who he once said tweeted was “starting to look like Madeleine Albright.”
Democrats also accused Grenell of dismissing the investigation into whether Russia is a threat to U.S. democracy.
