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Bolton Standoff May Lead to Recess Appointment Sen. Bill Frist says President Bush wants to keep pushing for a vote on John Bolton's bid to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, despite two failed efforts to end debate. Earlier, Frist said he was not planning more votes on the issue. Some now expect a July 4 recess appointment.

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Bolton Standoff May Lead to Recess Appointment

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Bolton Standoff May Lead to Recess Appointment

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Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist discusses a luncheon at the White House alongside Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Reuters hide caption

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Reuters

A day after failing for a second time to end debate on the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said early Tuesday that he was not planning any more votes on the issue.

But after meeting with President Bush later in the day, Frist said Bush wants the Senate to keep pushing. The day's events fuel increasing speculation that the president may resort to a recess appointment of Bolton, which could occur during the July 4 break.

Some Republicans and many Democrats oppose a recess appointment, citing both the unfinished Senate examination of Bolton's qualifications as well as the desire for a U.N. envoy to have the backing of his government.