LAC News
It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over
By Amelia Wigton
November 2006

The November Congressional elections handed severe losses to the Republican Party and put the Democrats at the helm of power in both the House and the Senate.

Now, two weeks remain for the 109^th Congress to complete unfinished business and pave the way for the 110^th.  While the agenda for the upcoming session remains unclear, the Senate needs to confirm the President’s nomination of John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations before it heads home for Christmas.     

Acting Ambassador Bolton has served actively in the U.N. for over a year, handling remarkably pivotal issues concerning the Middle East, North Korea, Darfur and other contentious areas of the world.

He has received repeated nominations and a recess appointment from President Bush, praise for the job that he has done thus far from various U.S. officials and recent support from China’s U.N. Ambassador, who said, “I enjoy working with him.  Professionally, he's capable.  He's effective, but I don't want to get into the politics of the U.S.”

Who is responsible for keeping another qualified nominee from receiving an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor?  A few reluctant Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee oppose Bolton as too controversial: outgoing Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, of Rhode Island, who has a hold on the nomination, and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), who said that he does not plan to work on this issue in the lame duck session and that, “I think we should go to things that we can work together on.”

This could be the last chance for John Bolton in light of recent statements from the next Chairman for the Foreign Relations Committee in the 110^th Congress, Senator Joe Biden (D-Delaware), who said that there is “no point in considering Mr. Bolton's nomination again.”

John Bolton has demonstrated time and time again an ability to deal exceedingly well with pertinent issues of the world publicly, diplomatically and at the U.N.  Concerned Women for America (CWA) has long supported reform at the U.N., as well as the confirmation of John Bolton. 

CWA’s President, Wendy Wright, said on the issue: “As Acting Ambassador to the U.N. for the past fifteen months, Mr. Bolton has proven he has the diplomatic skills for the job. Ambassador Bolton’s impeccable credentials, his formidable grasp of diplomatic issues of the day and his record of accomplishment as Acting Ambassador leave no room for doubt that he is the right man for the job. Holding up his nomination harms the United States.  CWA joins the throng of experts and officials who support Mr. Bolton’s nomination and urges the Senate to swiftly confirm John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations.”

Clearly, the job is not an easy one, and this is not an appropriate time for the Senate to allow political infighting to dominate what is best for U.S. relations at the U.N. and around the world.

Despite the current outlook, Bolton remains optimistic, recently saying, “One of the things that would be important is that we not lose continuity, and that’s one of the reasons we hope we can get an up-or-down vote.  And if we can, I think I will be confirmed and we won’t lose continuity,” Bolton said.

The title of a “do nothing” Congress was asserted time and again in the Democrat’s campaign against the Republicans.  It is not too late for the 109^th to do something positive and smart.  Senator Chafee and others should remove any “holds” on John Bolton and allow a vote to proceed.  The policy of blocking qualified nominees does not resonate with the American people, and CWA strongly supports John Bolton’s immediate confirmation.

Take Action!

Call your Senators and urge that Ambassador Bolton receive an immediate up-or-down vote and subsequent confirmation in the Senate.  Call today!

Capitol Switchboard: 202.224.3121