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Obama Signs Bill Giving Him More Power Over Appointments
By JOSH GERSTEIN |
8/18/12 8:23 AM EDT
In the middle of election season, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come together to give President Barack Obama more power to appoint officials to jobs in his administration without seeking approval from the Senate.
Yes, you read that right.
In the middle of election season, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come together to give President Barack Obama more power to appoint officials to jobs in his administration without seeking approval from the Senate.
Lost in the hubbub last weekend over Rep. Paul Ryan’s selection as Mitt Romney’s running mate was the fact that Obama signed a bill that eliminates the need to obtain Senate confirmation for about 170 executive branch posts: the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), addresses concerns that the Senate’s confirmation process has become so constipated that in many cases, especially with lower-profile posts, nominations were being held up without anyone really trying.
Of course, given the timing of the upcoming election, the power the legislative ceded to the executive in the new bill will flow mainly to whoever wins the November vote and his successors. The changes in the bill take effect between zero and 60 days from the time Obama signed it on August 10. The Senate approved the bill, 79-20, in June 2011. The House approved it, 261-116, last month.
