The U.S. Senate has not yet given up Matthew Bryza's nomination for ambassador to Azerbaijan, and is still considering it, State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said at a press briefing on Monday, December 12.

In December 2010, after an 18-month absence of a U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, President Barack Obama appointed Bryza to the post.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the candidates nominated by the president must be approved by the Senate. However, as Congress is between sessions, the President may make appointments independently.

The presidential decree provides an opportunity to fulfill new duties immediately, without waiting for approval by the Senate. But if the senators do not approve the nomination before the end of the next session of Congress (November-December 2011), this decree ceases to operate.

Thus, Bryza's term of office expires this month, his nomination waiting for Senate approval, Trend News reports.