Bush Sidesteps Congressional Obstruction
President Bush took advantage of lawmaker’s inability to obstruct his appointments this week, a New York Times article reports. With Congress not in session for Easter break Bush used recess appointments to make Sam Fox the ambassador to Belgium, Andrew G. Biggs the deputy commissioner of Social Security, and Susan E. Dudley the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the office of Management and Budget. Democrats strongly opposed all three candidates during previous hearings.
Fox, who contributed to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, was subject to Kerry’s questioning during the hearings. But in bypassing Congress, Bush denied the Senator his revenge against a Swift Boat contributor.
Biggs only offense is his views on privatizing Social Security. Democrats, opposed to both allowing Americans the freedom of choice and removing even a little of government from where it has already encroached into citizens lives, shot down Biggs confirmation.
Environmental and consumer groups opposed Dudley, claiming she was hostile to government regulation. All the more reason she needs to be in where Bush wants her.
The three can legally serve only until the end of 2008 – but that is long enough for Bush’s purposes as his term will then practically be over.
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