Reid chides Republicans for blocking ambassadorships

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Republicans who criticize President Obama’s foreign policies are the same ones blocking the confirmation of U.S. ambassadors.

“Republicans are stalling these nominations,” Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday. “There are gaping holes in our nation’s front lines.”

{mosads}Reid said there are more than 30 pending noncontroversial nominations to U.S. ambassador posts around the world.

“American foreign service officers are the best and the brightest,” Reid said. “They’re the all-stars of the diplomatic core of the country.”

Reid said Republicans are delaying the confirmation votes as a way to get back at Democrats for unilaterally changing the Senate filibuster rules last year.

“Republicans are stalling executive nominees vital to our national security to get back at Democrats? How does that work?” Reid said.  “Stalling these nominees is jeopardizing America’s interests abroad.”