On October 5, 2010, the U.S. Senate is set to vote on nominations of Matthew Bryza and Francis Ricciardone to serve as U.S. Ambassadors to Azerbaijan and Turkey respectively. The hearing will be led by the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator John Kerry.

Should the Senate disapprove both candidates, the President will have to name new nominees.

At an August 3 hearing, Senator Kerry announced that, at the request of fellow committee member Barbara Boxer(D-CA), a vote on the nomination of Matthew Bryza would be postponed until after Congress's summer recess.

The postponement of the vote on his nomination as ambassador to Azerbaijan followed a July 22 confirmation hearing by the same Senate committee, in which Bryza faced tough questions on his diplomatic record - including concerns that in the past, he has not held Azerbaijan adequately responsible for its role in the continuing tensions with Armenia.

On September 21, following the Foreign Relations Committee vote, Senator Boxer placed a hold on Bryza’s nomination.