Washington Politics And Their Influence On Military Contracts On Display

Photo: Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.)

Republican Senator Holds Up Obama Nominees Over Tanker Dispute -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) has blocked more than 70 presidential nominees over a long-running feud related to an Air Force tanker contract and other national security concerns, Senate aides said Friday.

The move is unusual. Senators typically invoke their right to place a hold on an executive nominee over objections about the specific nominee. However, Shelby has put a blanket objection on all pending nominees requiring Senate confirmation. These include the No. 2 position at the U.S. Trade Representative's office, the top international affairs official at the Treasury, and two members of the Federal Trade Commission.

Read more ....

Update: Richard Shelby and the Northrop-Boeing tanker war -- L.A. Times opinion

My Comment: This will probably become a regular feature for War News Updates .... the role of politics in military contracts, programs, and projects.