"Bush Announces 20 Recess Appointments"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Friday announced his intention to make 20 appointments during the congressional recess, including a new chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, a manufacturing czar and three ambassadors.

For FTC chairman, Bush is appointing Deborah Majoras of Virginia to replace Timothy J. Muris, who is stepping down after three years. Majoras, a former Justice Department deputy assistant attorney general, was one of the lead attorneys in the government's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)

Majoras' nomination had been blocked in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who said there was no evidence she would change FTC policies that benefit oil companies and hurt consumers. By making the appointment during the congressional recess, Bush avoids the need for Senate confirmation.

In a statement, Wyden said he hoped "that this undemocratic process for naming a new chair won't result in consumers being hammered with high gas prices again and again."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040731/D84602FO0.html