Both Senators Barbara Boxer and Robert Menendez have jointly placed a “hold” on U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee Matthew Bryza, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) reports.

The hold by Senators Boxer and Menendez prevents fast-tracked Senate consideration of the Bryza nomination, effectively blocking his confirmation for this ambassador’s post. The ANCA says that Senator Robert Menendez took a similar action in 2006, preventing the appointment of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland, who denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate confirmation process.