Politico.Cruz, meanwhile had argued that the United States needed to take a tougher stance on the pipeline, fearing that the arrangement will strengthen Russia’s financial standing and make Germany beholden to Russia, which has recently been threatening to interfere in Eastern Europe, including sending troops to the Ukrainian border for what some analysts fear will be a military invasion.On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced a deal in which the Senate would vote on legislation sponsored by Cruz to sanction the pipeline in mid-January.Cameroonian LGBTQ rights attorney Alice Nkom praised the confirmation of Lamora, who has previously served overseas at various U.S.