Senator to Allow Most Obama Appointees

(CBS)  Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. is releasing several "holds," or blocks on Senate action of Obama appointees, according to a statement from his office released Monday evening.

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reported Friday that Shelby was using "holds" to get his way on major spending issues in his home state. Using the tactic means that instead of the usual 51 votes to be confirmed, nominees have to get 60 votes. Getting to 60 isn't always easy with Democrats in control of just 57 seats. There are 41 Republicans and two Independents.

Holds aren't unusual. But Shelby has flexed his Senatorial muscle to issue a rarer "blanket hold" of all nominees on the calendar. That's more than 80, including high ranking military, intelligence and national security officials, like Clifford Stanley to oversee Defense Personnel and Readiness.

Sen. Shelby wouldn't agree to an interview but his office says the holds are "due to unaddressed national security concerns."

Specifically, he wants changes in the process to contract for Air Force re-fuelers - the contract is worth up to $40 billion.

What he really wants is to get that contract to Northrup Grumman, which would build the re-fuelers in Shelby's home state of Alabama. Northrup has contributed more than $100,000 to Shelby over the years.

Shelby also wants the administration to release $45 million from an earmark he got in 2008 for a "Terrorist Explosives Devices Analytical Center" at an Army base in Shelby's home state.

On Monday, Shelby's office said he was releasing holds "on all but a few nominees directly related to the Air Force tanker acquisition."

[Empire-George-]

Shelby's office says the holds are "due to unaddressed national security concerns."

Obama wants to play games with our national security, how about NO appointees....from the party of he-ll NO

[Freedomforever88]

Throw all incumbents out. That includes all dems, rep and independants.

[HolyVoice]

Shelby has flexed his Senatorial muscle to issue a rarer "blanket hold" of all nominees on the calendar. That's more than 80, including high ranking military, intelligence and national security officials.

Isn't this a GOP tactic so that they can make the claim President Obama hasn't done enough for national security? Isn't this what Sarah Palin is droning on about, that national security is compromised by this administration's lack of action.

This shows that the GOP is trying to undermine our Nation's security. They are the ones who are seeking to allow terrorists to work unchecked.

[retm-w]

Shelby is not the GOP he is one selfish Senator that's only agenda is his own little world. He's the only one blocking the nominations. He is no differen't then the Dem Senators that held out their votes for bribes. It's not about the citizens of the country, it's about their pork projects.

[Dgunner]

A senator that would pull this kind of stunt is lower than the lobbyist he supports . Fkim don't give anything . KIm Jong II fan no doubt.

[laxboy10]

This has to be unethical in some way

[ramos1129]

Sen. Shelby wouldn't agree to an interview but his office says the holds are "due to unaddressed national security concerns.

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This is complete and total BS. Shelby is using an antiquated Senate rule to get earmarks for his home state and get a lot of credit for political purposes. No wonder the Republicans have such a bad reputation? The Democrats should thank God for Senator Shelby. If they do not make hay with this guy, they are hopeless.

[myopinionpal]

What people don't understand is this thease people we sent to congress don't work for us but themselves all they want is to continue to get paid by the U.S. taxpayer while at the same time doing nothing for us.The only time they claim to be working for us is when they are up for re-election so that they can continue to get rich of the american people.
Some of you on this message board are unemployed and having a hard time making ends meet but your man or woman from your home state that sits in congress are living the good life at your expense

[Bubba1800]

"Senator for sale. Contact Senator Richard Shelby. Cash only." We,as a country, need to fire every damned incumbent we have. I don't care what party they are, or what party you vote on to replace them, just get the corrupt incumbents out of office.

[ffoulkes-2009]

Aww...comeon...be nice. He was just doing what he saw the dems doing over health care.

[rightbehind]

The man wants some pork!! pork pork pork pork. Who would have thought that anything for the American people would be classified as pork. We definitely need to send some of these politicians packing. First we need to get the democrats to 67 to impeach a couple of activist supreme court justices. Then we need a constitutional amendment to have the senate seats back on the ballot every 2 years like every house seat and a maximum of 3 terms for each. Hey I can always hope!

[thesevenveils]

When is the American public going to stand up and demand term limits for Senators and Congressmen and age limits for all federal political and judicial positions.

This is the foundation for a major positive change in government reform and bipartisanship.
Congressional and Senate seats were never meant to be career positions.