Bolton Unlikely to Win Senate Approval

AP ^ | Nov 9 2006

[Leroy S. Mort]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Prospects for extending John Bolton's job as U.N. ambassador essentially died Thursday as Democrats and a pivotal Republican said they would continue to oppose the nomination.

It was another blow to President Bush two days after Democrats triumphed in elections that will give them control of Congress next year. On Wednesday, Bush had announced that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, a polarizing figure and face of the Iraq war, would step down.

On Thursday the White House resubmitted Bolton's nomination to the Senate, where the appointment has languished for more than a year. Bush appointed him to the job temporarily in August 2005 while Congress was in recess, an appointment that will expire in January.

Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., who was defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse on Tuesday, told reporters in Rhode Island on Thursday that he would continue opposing Bolton. That would deny Republicans the votes they would need to move Bolton's nomination from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the full Senate.

Democrats indicated that even should the Senate try debating Bolton's nomination when lawmakers reconvene next week - still under Republican control - they would stretch out debate on Bolton with the aim of killing it.

``I see no point in considering Mr. Bolton's nomination again in the Foreign Relations Committee because regardless of what happens there, he is unlikely to be considered by the full Senate,'' said Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.

[ConservativeMind]

That can be ignored.

As is commonly noted, the right of senators to place “holds” on legislative measures and executive and judicial nominations is not formally recognized in the standing rules of the Senate. Holds—or the ability of a single senator to block the majority leader from calling up legislative measures and nominations—arise in the Senate because of the chamber’s reliance on unanimous consent agreements and debatable motions to proceed to schedule business and organize debate on the Senate floor. Lacking a previous question motion, a simple majority is powerless under Senate rules (except under special conditions) to determine whether and when to proceed to consider a measure or matter on the Senate floor. By placing a hold on a measure, a senator is registering his or her intention to object when the majority leader seeks unanimous consent. Although nothing in Senate rules binds either the majority or minority leader to honor his colleagues' holds, such objections typically delay action because leaders are loathe to upset colleagues whose cooperation will be needed in the future. Leaders can ignore holds, but to proceed in face of opposition they would customarily then have to pass a motion to proceed, which is subject to a filibuster.

http://rules.senate.gov/hearings/2003/061703binder.htm

However, filibusters on judicial nominees is also easily overcome, by asking the President of the Senate (Chaney) to rule on the appropriateness of the filibuster as per what the Senate rules are on nominees in the Constitution (basically, the Senate is only to "advise and consent," which is a simple majority).

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4575047

Look at the fourth question for this clarification.

[floridareader1]

Helping Chafee was Karl Rove's call.

Chafee didn't even support GWB for President, so why would he support John Bolton.

The RNC looks like a bunch of monkeys.

[Rummyfan]

Bush should get Bolton in there or leave the post empty for the next two years if necessary.

Here Here! What difference does it make if we send no one?

[King of Florida]

As I recall, Jesse Helms used to block a boatload of stuff with holds back in the Clintoonian era. I don't think the matters proceeded further after that.

[ConservativeMind]

For bills, this is perfectly legitimate. It could still be ignored, but would be filibustered, while a judicial nominee can't.

[princess leah]

I pray that this man gets struck by lightning (what's the weather forecast in RI?) What a LOSER!!!

[Rummyfan]

Voinivich's weeping act on the Senate floor! Disgusting! I tell ya - I'd rather have thirty-five Conservative Senators than all those RINOs who were and are in there.

[patriciamary]

That's been Bush's problem all along,be nice and then they stick it to him.

[ken5050]

Rumsfeld's now available..also Katherine Harris

[Jim W N]

Thanks to our Republican friends for turning left at DC when they were supposed to drive right through the line, and then fumbling the ball and allowing the DEMOinC-RATS to recover and score.

This hurts America in many ways. The DEMOinC-RAT Leftist Dictator Socialist Party no longer has nothing to do with America or her values. It has become a foreign agency and is no longer legitimate as far as I'm concerned. Shame on the Republican party, the only political party at this point that would have prevented the take over of this foreign entity.

[hipaatwo]

Sen. Lincoln Chafee (news, bio, voting record), R-R.I., who was defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse on Tuesday, told reporters in Rhode Island on Thursday that he would continue opposing Bolton.



I'm so glad this P.O.S. lost and the RNC gets what it deserves trying to save his hide.

[GnL]

What an ass.

[My2Cents]

That actually says more about Chaffee (a gelatinous little backstabber) than it does about Bush.

[henbane]

The way I understand it, Bush can recess appoint him again, but he can't be paid. I wonder if a Bolton fund is legal.....

Looks like restrictions apply only to payments from the U.S.Treasury.

Private funding of Bolton would in no way be illegal.

It's absolutely essential that President Bush appoint Ambassador Bolton for the final two years of the Administration.

It's exactly these kinds of political gains that must be salvaged--rescued from the approaching Democrat wrecking-ball.

Can the President Make Successive Recess Appointments to the Same Position?

The President may make successive recess appointments of the same or a different individual to a position. Payment from the Treasury to the appointee may be limited, however, under 5 U.S.C. 5503.
Subsection 5503(a) provides, in part, that:

Payment for services may not be made from the Treasury of the United States to an individual appointed during a recess of the Senate to fill a vacancy in an existing office, if the vacancy existed while the Senate was in session and was by law required to be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, until the appointee has been confirmed by the Senate.

[BibChr]

[Chafee's opposition] would deny Republicans the votes they would need to move Bolton's nomination from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Then. Replace. Him.

[edpc]

I'm in. Let's start a fund.

[Ukiapah Heep]

How about pulling out of the UN and sending the pack of thieves to Iran?

[Thom Pain]

Nominate Donald Rumsfeld! Drive the Dims absolutely nuts!

And when they turn him down nominate someone even more conservative (and abrasive).

And withhold funding of the U.N. until they approve our nominee.

Time we learned to play hardball.

[Ben Hecks]

Honestly, has there ever been a Republican who was give so much - money, support, etc. and who so viciously STABBED us in the back, time after time??

Specter? (he at least runs a close second)

[JOE43270]

And Vice President Cheney can break he tie if needed.