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Obama Threatens Recess Appointments
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Candidate
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| Contributor | Scott³ |
| Last Edited | Scott³ Feb 10, 2010 11:37am |
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| Category | News |
| Author | Dan Roem |
| News Date | Tuesday, February 9, 2010 05:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | "In a surprise visit to the WH press room today, Pres. Obama threatened to make recess appointments if holds on his non-controversial nominees aren't lifted.
The threat comes just a day after Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) dropped holds on more than 70 pending nominees -- holds he placed after a dispute with the WH over earmarks for his home state.
Obama said he told Congressional leaders, with whom he met at the WH today, that he would make recess appointments if the Senate does not act on his nominations.
"We can't afford to allow politics to stand in the way of a well-functioning government," Obama said. He pointed to GSA administrator Martha Johnson, whose nomination was held up for 9 months by Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) in a dispute over a federal building in Kansas City. Johnson's nomination was confirmed last week in a 96-0 vote.
Last week, CongressDaily reported that Shelby had placed holds on every one of Obama's pending nominations as he tried to force the WH to cave on several earmarks. Yesterday, Shelby released the holds without getting his concessions.
Obama said he asked leaders for a "stop to these holds" which can go on for several months. "Surely we can set aside partisanship and do what's traditionally been done to confirm these nominations," Obama said.
When the Senate delays nominations, "that's not advise and consent," said Obama. "That's delay and obstruct."
Obama's appearance came just hours before the Senate is set to vote on cloture for Craig Becker, a deputy counsel at the SEIU and Obama's nominee to serve on the National Labor Relations Board. GOP senators and business groups oppose Becker's nomination on the grounds that he is too friendly to labor.
On Tuesday, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), an Obama ally, said he would join a GOP-led filibuster against Becker's nomination." |
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