Washington (CNN) – President Obama threatened Tuesday to use his power to bypass Congress and make appointments to key positions in his administration if Senate Republicans do not allow votes on their nominations.
Obama said he asked GOP leaders during a meeting at the White House "to put a stop to these holds in which nominees for critical jobs are denied a vote for months."
"If the Senate does not act, and I made this very clear, if the Senate does not act to confirm these nominees, I will consider making several recess appointments during the upcoming recess," Obama said. "Because we can't afford to allow politics to stand in the way of a well-functioning government."
The Senate is scheduled to be in recess next week.
While not mentioning him by name, Obama criticized Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, for putting a hold on all of his nominees as leverage to help his state.
"One senator, as you all are aware, had put a hold on every single nominee that we had put forward, due to a dispute over a couple of earmarks in his state," Obama said.
Shelby has since released his hold on almost all of the nominees.
From CNN Politics
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The correct and fair reporting on this issue would be to point out that Obama blocked Bush appointments on several ocassions. Why was it ok then, but not now?
That's right! What would Bush do?
I wonder if the Tea Party will target Senator Shelby for his actions. The senator is acknowledged to be the pork king of the senate and these actions were clear blackmail designed solely to snag more money for his state.
It's about time President Obama began calling out these obstructionists. He should not feel bad about making the appointments during recess, as he has tried for months to get some action out of these deadbeat politicians. President Bush used this process without even trying to work with the other party like President Obama has.
Go for it. The Republicans should not have any problem with it since they had no problem with the 167 recess appointments Bush made in his first 6 years in office.
I'm sure that Senate Republicans will forget that Bush did this numerous times, and be sufficiently outraged that Obama would bypass them this way.
It seems to me that if I remember correctly, this is the exact same thing the Dems did to President Bush the last two years of his presidency. Is it suppose to be different when the Dems are in charge?
,,,, gee this sounds like the bush adminnstration when the democratic senators did the same thing,,,,ugh,,,
Sad that it even needs to come to this. The repubs can't measure each nominee on their own merits, they just lump them all together and say if Obama wants them, then no.
Sad. Elections have consequences. People see through the games. Grow up.
It is about time!
Good for Obama, I hope he makes all the held-up appointments. We elected HIM President, NOT Richard Shelby. Republicans like to condemn wasteful spending, but rally behind Shelby in his effort to guarantee a full plate of pork for his constituents. How long before
Americans get sick of this ridiculous GOP hypocrisy?
Shelby symbolizes the arrogant, self-absorbed way that many senators try to extort political favors from administrations. Ben Nelson did the same thing during the health care reform debate in the Senate. These men should be thrown out of Congress.
Yes, Mr. President... it is about time you used your Executive powers!
Just do it.
Pot, meet Mr. Kettle. The same clowns that attacked Bush for recess appointments are now doing the same. Funny how it was patriotic to oppose the White House before 1/20/2009, but now it is "playing politics."
interesting that when the democrats filibuster appointments it okay, but when the republicans do it, its nothing but political grandstanding. i wonder, where was Obama when the Democrats were filibustering Harriet Miers etc? Where was the outrage then? Oh, wait. The Democrats were doing nothing but political grandstanding. Can't have it both ways Mr. President, if you're going to call out one party, make sure you call out the other(especially when they do the same thing).
Go for it Barack...put some more of your cronies in... that means they can only stay up to one year......
hahahaha....you are a whiner Barack... a cry baby and a whiner......
Someone should really find out where this guy is from and who signed his papers to get into the country....
Lets see the documents that say who his dad was, what country he belonged to, how old his mother was at the time of birth, some proof of who signed the papers...... and for grins how about his college entrance acceptance and transcripts..... why wont he release his academic record.... everyone is big on saying he is smart but I would like to see his grades and how he got in...
Something he should have done ages ago.
Hey the Dems did the exact same thing to President Bush so stop crying about it.... you act like a 12 year old girl.
What a sorry pile of crap the GOP reptiles in congress truly are.
The only thing that has functioned since this fool has been in office is his mouth!!!
AMEN Mr. President! What the Republicans are doing is criminal!
Them dadgum repubs, off the hook with their stupid-ness. President Obama should continue to call out these backward thinkers.
One more time Obama will use anything he can to get his way. Maybe if the Democrats in control would be willing to listen to both sides and then make a judgement, things would start getting passed. And the Republicans also need to remember they are there for the people, not for themselves or the Republicans. I'm getting tired of paying my congressmen just to have them act worst than my young grandchildren!
A Republican is holding this country hostage for earmarks (aka pork)? Shocking...NOT!!! Yes, that's the party of small government for ya.