Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Recess Appointments: Ambassadors Bryza, Eisen, Ford and Ricciardone

On December 29, President Obama announced his intent to recess appoint six nominees to fill key administration posts that have been left vacant for an extended period of time.  Four of the six recess appointees are for ambassadorships in Baku, Prague, Damascus and Ankara! 

The President announced his intent to recess appoint the following four nominees for ambassadorships:

  • Matthew J. Bryza, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Department of State (Senate hold by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
  • Norman L. Eisen, Nominee for Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Department of State    
    (Senate "hold" by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IO)
  • Robert Stephen Ford, Nominee for Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic, Department of State.  His nomination was announced on February 16, 2010, cleared by the SFRC on April 13.  He had been waiting since. Who placed a hold on the Ford nomination? Who knows? It's a secret hold.  One or more of these 13 GOP Senators?  One of these 8 GOP Senators?
  • Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Department of State (Senate "hold: by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-KS)

Politico's Laura Rozen who reported on this here points out that "recess appointments last for one year beyond the remainder of the Congress’s term. In addition, the White House could decide to resubmit the nominations during the 112th Congress."




Related posts:

Related item:
President Obama Announces Recess Appointments to Key Administration Posts | December 29, 2010




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