Reid, new Senate Minority Leader, scores first major political 'victory'

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/7512-1.html

Deal on Reid Pick for NRC Ends Nominee Standoff

By Emily Pierce
Roll Call Staff

Monday, Nov. 22; 03:00pm

Sen. Harry Reid (D) scored his first major political victory as the new Senate Minority Leader by securing a post on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an opponent of the government’s plan to send highly radioactive nuclear waste to his home state of Nevada.

With the White House becoming increasingly worried that Reid’s “hold” on nearly 200 nominees would prevent them from staffing their administration as they head into a second term, President Bush agreed this weekend to use his recess appointment powers to put Reid’s science aide, Greg Jaczko, on the NRC.

As part of the last minute agreement reached in the early hours of Sunday morning, Reid lifted his objections to confirming scores of Bush nominees, and the Senate unanimously approved 172 nominations to various posts including ambassadors, judges, and positions at various Cabinet agencies.

“I am extremely pleased that we were able to reach a deal that places a strong, independent voice on the NRC, while ensuring that nearly 200 other federal posts will be promptly filled,” Reid said in a statement.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) — a strong backer of building a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain near Las Vegas — also hailed the agreement, despite his earlier efforts to prevent Jaczko from joining the commission.

Domenici, in a statement, called the deal with the White House a victory because “We made clear that a nominee as controversial as Greg Jaczko will not be confirmed by the Senate for the sake of political expedience regardless of the pressure exerted by his advocate, Senator Reid.”

Indeed, the White House has to use the recess appointment option because Domenici steadfastly refused to allow the Senate to confirm Jaczko to a full five-year term on the NRC.

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