Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Locke: Unlock the door to Groves' confirmation

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urges House Republicans to end their blockade on President Obama's nominee to head the 2010 Census. See the AP story below.

Locke urges end to GOP block on census nominee
By HOPE YEN – 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is urging an immediate end to a GOP block on President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the 2010 census.

Robert Groves, a veteran survey researcher with the University of Michigan, was easily approved by a Senate committee last month. But Republicans have stalled Groves' full confirmation vote for undisclosed reasons.

With the census just months away, Locke said in a statement Wednesday that the government cannot wait "any longer" for Groves' confirmation. He said the longer the delay, the greater the risk to the accuracy and success of the census.

Under Senate rules, a senator can hold up a nomination without going public or providing a reason. Groves is among roughly 30 Obama nominees currently in limbo.

No comments:

Post a Comment