Appointments - Page 17

After Obama's 'controversial' NLRB nominee pulled, replacement should get past lame duck Senate

December 20, 2015

After Obama's 'controversial' NLRB nominee pulled, replacement should get past lame duck Senate

President Obama’s latest nomination to the National Labor Relations Board will likely get Senate approval in the final days of Democrats controlling the chamber, after his first choice was withdrawn amid fierce Republican opposition.

Majority of judges behind wave of gay marriage rulings were Democrat-appointed

December 20, 2015

Majority of judges behind wave of gay marriage rulings were Democrat-appointed

Most of the judges responsible for rulings against gay marriage bans over the past year were appointed by either President Obama or, two decades ago, Bill Clinton.

Senate OKs drone memo author to be federal judge

December 20, 2015

Senate OKs drone memo author to be federal judge

A former Justice Department official who helped devise the Obama administration's legal justification for using drones to kill American terror suspects overseas won Senate approval Thursday to become a top federal judge.

Senate gives preliminary OK to Obama judge pick who wrote drone memo

December 20, 2015

Senate gives preliminary OK to Obama judge pick who wrote drone memo

A contentious federal appeals court nominee narrowly cleared a key Senate hurdle on Wednesday, as the administration tried to ease concerns about the candidate's role in crafting the legal rationale for using drones to kill American terrorist suspects abroad.

Burwell gets Senate committee approval as HHS Secretary

December 20, 2015

Burwell gets Senate committee approval as HHS Secretary

The Senate Finance Committee has voted overwhelmingly to approve Sylvia Mathews Burwell's nomination to be the nation's next health secretary.

Obama nominees face liberal ire

December 20, 2015

Obama nominees face liberal ire

President Obama's nominees to the federal courts and other positions increasingly are coming under fire from the left, in a change of pace from the days when the administration said Republicans were the ones creating confirmation headaches.

HHS nominee faces GOP questions on health law

December 20, 2015

HHS nominee faces GOP questions on health law

President Obama's nominee for health secretary drew support from Republican senators Thursday even as they challenged the health law she would be charged with carrying out. Sylvia Mathews Burwell defended the Affordable Care Act, asserting that it has improved the economy, held down the growth of health costs, reduced premiums and expanded coverage.

Controversial DOJ nominee fails to clear Senate test vote

December 20, 2015

Controversial DOJ nominee fails to clear Senate test vote

Senate Democrats failed to muster enough support to push a controversial Justice Department nominee past a key test vote on Wednesday, leaving the nomination stalled amid bipartisan concerns about his past work on behalf of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.

McConnell suggests Senate will delay Lynch's AG vote until Dems pass anti-human trafficking bill

December 20, 2015

McConnell suggests Senate will delay Lynch's AG vote until Dems pass anti-human trafficking bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday that a final vote on appointing Loretta Lynch as attorney general will remain on hold until Democrats help pass a human trafficking bill.

Witnesses rip Holder, Obama on Day 2 of Lynch's Senate confirmation hearing

December 20, 2015

Witnesses rip Holder, Obama on Day 2 of Lynch's Senate confirmation hearing

A panel of speakers took verbal shots at the Obama administration and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder during day two of Loretta Lynch’s Senate confirmation process. Thursday’s hearings brought a wide-ranging roster of outside witnesses to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, including several speakers invited by Republicans to showcase opposition to the president’s use of executive powers as well as actions taken by Holder.