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Reid, White House reach deal on nominees |
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By Manu Raju
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Posted: 03/14/08 11:17 AM [ET] |
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Senate Democrats and the White House reached a deal early Friday morning on moving a host of President Bush's nominees, according to Democratic and White House officials.
In exchange for Bush’s help in moving five Democratic nominees to federal agencies and boards, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) agreed to act on 40 Republican nominees, a Democratic leadership aide said.
The breakthrough came after Reid and White House chief of staff Josh Bolten had a “positive” meeting earlier Thursday, but could not reach an agreement. Democratic and White House aides continued to hold talks and reached a deal as the Senate finished its work on a budget blueprint well past midnight.The Senate confirmed dozens of executive branch nominees early Friday morning. The Senate will still hold periodic “pro forma” sessions over the next two weeks when lawmakers return to their home states for recess. Even though no legislative activity occurs, the pro forma sessions allow the chamber to stay in session, thereby preventing the president from using his constitutional authority to make recess appointments.
Despite the agreement, Democrats did not win assurances that Bush would not install some controversial nominees during the Senate’s recess, including Steven Bradbury to head the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department.
His nomination has come under attack from Democrats because of his role in writing legal memos on interrogation policies for terrorism suspects. Republicans dismiss the attacks, saying he is well qualified and deserves to be confirmed.
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