Senate Republicans are previewing the lines of attack theyll pursue in 2015 against President Barack Obamas immigration, foreign policy and gun regulation policies during this weeks debate on executive-branch nominees.
Today, Republicans anger over Obamas Nov. 20 order granting a temporary reprieve from deportation for undocumented immigrants translated into criticism of Sarah Saldana, Obamas nominee to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Senate confirmed her 55-39.
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed surgeon general nominee Vivek Murthy, a physician who has called gun violence a public health issue, on a 51-43 vote amid opposition from Republicans and the National Rifle Association.
This evening, the Senate will vote on confirming Antony Blinken as deputy secretary of state, though incoming Armed Services Chairman John McCain said hell fight Blinkens nomination on the floor. McCain has said that in hearings for defense secretary nominee Ashton Carter early next year he plans to highlight Obamas feckless foreign policy.
In an interview today, McCain said Blinken is the person whos been wrong on every single issue.
Incoming Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas is among the Republicans who said they would vote against Saldanas confirmation, though he said shes well qualified for the post.
Based on her qualifications alone, we would be hard pressed to find a person better suited for the job, Cornyn said of Saldana. But if she is determined to help the president implement this deeply flawed executive action and refuses to enforce the law that Congress has written and has been signed by previous presidents, I cant support her.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said in a statement, Her experience will be valuable as we continue to work to fix our broken immigration system and implement President Obamas executive action to keep families together.
Republicans in January will take control of the Senate for the final two years of Obamas presidency. In an attempt to install as many Obamas choices for executive and judicial posts as possible before ceding control of the chamber, Reid has teed up votes this week on about two dozen nominees.
Under a rules change that Reid pushed through late last year, Democrats can approve all of the nominees by a simple majority vote, meaning none will need Republican support as Democrats now control 55 seats in the chamber. Republicans will control 54 seats starting in January.
Link:
Republicans Tip Hand on Obama Lines of Attack With Nominees