Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Bush Should Make Recess Appointment For Bolton
Senate Democrats blocked John Bolton's confirmation as U.N. ambassador for the second time Monday and President Bush left open the possibility of bypassing lawmakers and appointing the tough-talking former State Department official on his own.
The vote was 54-38, six shy of the total needed to force a final vote on Bolton, and represented an erosion in support from last month's failed Republican effort. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, who voted in May to advance the nomination, switched positions and urged Bush to consider another candidate, while only three Democrats crossed party lines.
Democrats have demanded the administration check a list of 36 U.S. officials against names in secret national security intercepts that Bolton requested and received. They also want documents related to the preparation of testimony that Bolton planned to give in the House in July 2003 about Syria's weapons capability.
"I think it's time for the Senate to give him an up-or-down vote. Now," the president said.
Bush has the power to install Bolton during the Senate's upcoming break. The so-called recess appointment would only last through the next one-year session of Congress — in Bolton's case until January 2007.
Read more on this subject in Related Hot Topics:
Bolton Takes A Licking, But It's Not Over Just Yet
The Bolton charade
Bush: I Want a Vote on Bolton Now
U.S. Pushes for U.N. Reforms
Senate Democrats blocked John Bolton's confirmation as U.N. ambassador for the second time Monday and President Bush left open the possibility of bypassing lawmakers and appointing the tough-talking former State Department official on his own.
The vote was 54-38, six shy of the total needed to force a final vote on Bolton, and represented an erosion in support from last month's failed Republican effort. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, who voted in May to advance the nomination, switched positions and urged Bush to consider another candidate, while only three Democrats crossed party lines.
Democrats have demanded the administration check a list of 36 U.S. officials against names in secret national security intercepts that Bolton requested and received. They also want documents related to the preparation of testimony that Bolton planned to give in the House in July 2003 about Syria's weapons capability.
"I think it's time for the Senate to give him an up-or-down vote. Now," the president said.
Bush has the power to install Bolton during the Senate's upcoming break. The so-called recess appointment would only last through the next one-year session of Congress — in Bolton's case until January 2007.
Read more on this subject in Related Hot Topics:
Bolton Takes A Licking, But It's Not Over Just Yet
The Bolton charade
Bush: I Want a Vote on Bolton Now
U.S. Pushes for U.N. Reforms
