By JOSH GERSTEIN
In the middle of election season, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come together to give President Barack Obama more power to appoint officials to jobs in his administration without seeking approval from the Senate.
Yes, you read that right.
In the middle of election season, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come together to give President Barack Obama more power to appoint officials to jobs in his administration without seeking approval from the Senate.
Lost in the hubbub last weekend over Rep. Paul Ryan's selection as Mitt Romney's running mate was the fact that Obama signed a bill that eliminates the need to obtain Senate confirmation for about 170 executive branch posts: the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), addresses concerns that the Senate's confirmation process has become so constipated that in many cases, especially with lower-profile posts, nominations were being held up without anyone really trying.
Of course, given the timing of the upcoming election, the power the legislative ceded to the executive in the new bill will flow mainly to whoever wins the November vote and his successors. The changes in the bill take effect between zero and 60 days from the time Obama signed it on August 10. The Senate approved the bill, 79-20, in June 2011. The House approved it, 261-116, last month.
Of interest to journalists, government public affairs types (and those who hope to be the latter), the top public affairs positions at Defense, State, Labor, Treasury, HUD and Veterans Affairs are on the list of jobs no longer requiring Senate confirmation. Many other public affairs posts had never required Senate confirmation.
Lieberman's hard-to-believe press statement says: "This bipartisan legislation represents the Senate at its best. A problem was identified, and Democrats and Republicans worked together to craft a solution. Now, future Administrations will be able to get their teams in place more quickly, and the Senate will be able focus its time and energy on the most important Executive Branch appointments. In no way does this bill erode the Senate’s role of 'advice and consent.' Rather, it strengthens the Senate’s power by freeing us up to concentrate on nominees who will actually shape national policy."
Lieberman's office has posted a list of the affected positions here.
