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WASHINGTON, June 21: Senate Democrats on Monday again blocked the nomination of John Bolton as UN ambassador, raising the possibility that President George Bush may seek to bypass lawmakers and put him in the job without a confirmation vote.
Republican leaders fell six votes short of the 60 votes needed to end a procedural hurdle known as a filibuster and advance the nomination to a confirmation vote.
The Senate vote of 54-38 to try and overcome the filibuster came after Mr Bush called for an immediate up-or-down vote on Bolton’s nomination.
“Well, put him in. If they’re interested in reforming the United Nations, they ought to approve John Bolton,” Mr Bush said at a news conference with European leaders.
It was the second failed attempt by Senate Republican leaders to bring the contested nomination to a vote. The White House would not rule out the possibility Mr Bush could appoint Bolton to the post during an upcoming congressional recess.
“It is critical that we get him in place,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.
But Senate Republicans raised concerns about a recess appointment
Sen Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the country would be better served by a UN Ambassador who was confirmed by the Senate.
Appealing again for a confirmation vote on Mr Bolton, Roberts said, “I hope that people will take a little longer look at our national interests and say that let’s not go down the road to a recess appointment.”
Sen. George Allen, a Virginia Republican, said it was a “legitimate concern” that Bolton would be seen as damaged goods and lack credibility if he is appointed rather than confirmed.
“I would hope that the president will stand by John Bolton and keep fighting for him,” Allen said.
Democrats are demanding that the White House release information they say is important to the Senate’s review of his fitness for the job. They want to know whether Mr Bolton misused intelligence and bullied analysts who did not conform to his hard-line views.—Reuters
