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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

UPDATE: GOP senator not OK with Obama's recess appointment

Shelby

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama started with a joke in his response to President Barack Obama skipping Senate approval for one of his nominees, but ultimately does not appear to find much humor in the situation.

Obama decided Wednesday to push through the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray by appointing him while lawmakers are in recess. Doing so allows Cordray to become head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without receiving a thumb's up from the Senate.

"President Obama actually created one job today," Shelby's response started.

Senate Republicans refused to bring the debate over Cordray's nomination to an end in December. A day after the Iowa caucuses, Obama pushed on without their approval.

"Unfortunately, this new employee is an unaccountable bureaucrat who will have immense power over the economy," Shelby continued. "President Obama's philosophy is clear: government knows best, and the bigger, the better.

"In light of his record, it's not surprising that he end ran the elected representatives of the American people to avoid accountability to them."

Shelby sent a letter to Obama in May recommending changes in the bureau. They would make it more accountable to the American people, he says.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.

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