AM Feed - July 28: Bolton Back Before the Senate
Hot Topics
- President Bush has had a history of pushing controversial nominees into various job openings, and John Bolton, his choice as U.S. ambassador to the U.N., is no different. Bush tapped Bolton last year, and installed him as a recess appointment after Congress did not confirm him to the post. Now, once again, the administration is pushing for Bolton’s approval by the Senate. Bolton had previously been described by former colleagues as an intimidating bully with a low tolerance for opposing views. “At the moment of the greatest need for diplomacy in recent history, we are not particularly effective at it,” said Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE). [link]
- What in the name of congressional corruption is going on in Virginia? Rep. Thomas Davis’s (R-VA) friendship with Donald Upson, consultant who helps firms win government contracts, has come under a microscope. The two men have long been friends, and Upson’s clients have enjoyed close access to the congressman, including meetings on Capitol Hill and dinners. Davis is chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, and many of the contracts related to Upson’s clients fall under his oversight. And that’s not all: Davis’ wife, who was hired before they were married, works for Upson’s company, and earned $78,000 last year by working “10 to 20 hours a week.” [link]
- A new bipartisan report from the House Intelligence Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight is sharply critical of reform efforts in the intelligence community. The report found a “lack of urgency” in the pace of change, and specifically called out National Intelligence Director John Negroponte for the failure to enact meaningful change. Included in the criticism is the now-familiar charge that spy agencies still are not communicating effectively with one another. [link]
Morning Snark
- The Senate hearings for John Bolton’s confirmation have been testy so far – let’s just hope he doesn’t try to shake down any of the senators for their lunch money.
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— Neil Sl Hutchens Jul 28, 14:33 #
— MO Jul 28, 14:57 #
— Rosalie Stern Jul 28, 18:57 #
— Neil Sl Hutchens Jul 29, 15:14 #
— zreulgxd Jan 9, 10:03 #
— swoonjy Apr 27, 08:03 #