HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: Julio V. Ruiz, M.D. Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 11:55 AM Subject: [CubaNews] OTTO REICH: Week in Review on Nomination, Appointment The Washington Post has the latest skirmishing: "President Bush is considering using the Senate's holiday recess to install temporarily two controversial nominees who have not won confirmation, administration officials said yesterday. "The decision, which could inflame relations with Senate Democrats, would reflect the Bush administration's determination to make muscular use of all presidential powers. . . . An administration "official said recess appointments remained under consideration last night for Eugene Scalia, a son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Bush's choice for Labor Department solicitor, and for Otto J. Reich, Bush's nominee for assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. "Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that it is unlikely Scalia will be confirmed. . . . "Republican sources said the White House is quite conscious that Daschle would like to run for president in 2004, and said Bush had ordered the tougher public line shortly after Thanksgiving. Officials in both parties noted how unusual it is for the Bush administration to issue attacks as blistering as those on Daschle. "It is rare," a senior administration official said. "It's because these issues are very important to the president, and he's going to work hard to enact them. It's not personal." The Dems can't shout too loudly; Clinton did the same thing. ------------------------------------------------------------- Bush May Use Recess To Install Nominees Daschle Will Not Call Pro Forma Session By Mike Allen Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, December 18, 2001; Page A04 President Bush is considering using the Senate's holiday recess to install temporarily two controversial nominees who have not won confirmation, administration officials said yesterday. The decision, which could inflame relations with Senate Democrats, would reflect the Bush administration's determination to make muscular use of all presidential powers. That approach was clear early in his administration but has become more entrenched since he declared war on terrorism. Under a constitutional provision known as a recess appointment, the president can bypass confirmation when the Senate is in recess and put nominees in office through the end of the congressional session. An administration official said the White House is considering use of the power for several nominees, including his choices for the National Labor Relations Board, because there are "certain positions for different boards and commissions that need to be filled so they can continue operating." The official said recess appointments remained under consideration last night for Eugene Scalia, a son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Bush's choice for Labor Department solicitor, and for Otto J. Reich, Bush's nominee for assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that it is unlikely Scalia will be confirmed. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, has said Reich's nomination is "not going anywhere." Democrats said they will contend Bush is subverting the legislative process if he makes recess appointments of controversial nominees. But President Bill Clinton used the mechanism to install Roger L. Gregory as the first black judge on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Maryland and Virginia, after the Republican-controlled Senate stalled his nomination. Bush renominated Gregory, who was confirmed for a lifetime appointment in July. The White House's contemplation of bold use of recess appointments follows a swift deterioration in relations between Bush and Daschle, who had been publicly pleasant for much of the year. Vice President Cheney said Dec. 9 on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Daschle had taken an "obstructionist" approach to economic-stimulus negotiations, and administration and Republican Party officials have been attacking Daschle daily for more than a week. Bush plans to speak to a House Republican meeting on Wednesday. White House officials said a major purpose is to thank lawmakers for their help in enacting his agenda. But these officials said the president will also discuss unfinished business, and his appearance is designed partly to try to put the onus on Daschle to pass an economic stimulus package before year's end. Republican sources said the White House is quite conscious that Daschle would like to run for president in 2004, and said Bush had ordered the tougher public line shortly after Thanksgiving. Officials in both parties noted how unusual it is for the Bush administration to issue attacks as blistering as those on Daschle. "It is rare," a senior administration official said. "It's because these issues are very important to the president, and he's going to work hard to enact them. It's not personal." Some Senate Democratic leaders had hoped to thwart recess appointments by not officially adjourning, but instead remaining in a pro forma session through the holidays, as first reported by Roll Call. Administration officials said that parliamentary move would not prevent recess appointments, since a new congressional session begins each year. Daschle rejected the idea last night. He had jokingly told reporters Friday that it is harder to make recess appointments when there is no recess, but his staff said he did not seriously consider the move. Aides said he will leave the Senate in session "subject to the call of the chair" because of the war on terrorism. "I think it's important for us to be able to take care of whatever unfinished business there is," Daschle said at his Friday news conference. A Senate Democratic leadership aide also noted the "need for Congress to keep visibility and not cede the whole terrain to Bush, given the power of his bully pulpit." Daschle's plan would allow recess appointments, according to another Senate Democratic leadership aide. "Senator Daschle is not going to hold the Senate in any form of session that would prevent the administration from making recess appointments," the aide said. "However, given . . . our strong commitment to process pending nominees, Senator Daschle doesn't anticipate the need for recess appointments." The Senate's holiday recess is expected to begin late this week. Congress reconvenes Jan. 23. � 2001 The Washington Post Company ------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON IN BRIEF Saturday, December 15, 2001; Page A04 White House Raps Daschle Over Delays The White House criticized Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) yesterday for the Senate's failure to hold confirmation votes on two of President Bush's most controversial nominees -- Eugene Scalia for Labor Department solicitor and Otto J. Reich for assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. Both are from Virginia and were nominated Sept. 4. "I'd like to remind the Senate once again the important work that remains to be done when it comes to confirming presidential appointments," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said. He then read two quotations from Daschle suggesting a willingness to give a fair hearing to all nominees. Scalia, whose nomination was approved 11 to 10 on Oct. 16 by the Senate labor committee, is the son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. When Fleischer was asked if the delay could be payback for the Supreme Court's vote on the presidential recount, Fleischer said, "It doesn't matter what the motive is; it's wrong to do." As for Reich, Fleischer said, "It's not right for the president to be denied his right to have an entire foreign policy team in place." Daschle's office issued a statement saying he is "working in good faith to break years of gridlock" over nominees. "Mr. Fleischer's false attacks are part of an increasingly fierce campaign by Republicans in Washington to attack Senate Democrats in general and Senator Daschle in particular," the statement said. ===================================================================== To subscribe to CubaNews, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://TOPICA.COM/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
