SENATE-NOMINEES 2 LAST

"Instead, many holds were motivated by a desire to
leverage projects for a Senator's state or simply to frustrate
progress. It is precisely these kinds of tactics that enrage
the American people," Obama said.
"And so on Tuesday, I told Senator McConnell that if
Republican senators did not release these holds, I would
exercise my authority to fill critically-needed positions in
the federal government temporarily through the use of recess
appointments," he said.
"This is a rare but not unprecedented step that many
other presidents have taken. Since that meeting, I am
gratified that Republican senators have responded by releasing
many of these holds and allowing 29 nominees to receive a vote
in the Senate," he said.
The nominees confirmed last night included Charles
Collyns, deputy under secretary at the Treasury
Department, Marisa Lago and Mary John Miller, assistant
Treasury secretaries; Caryn Wagner, assistant secretary of
homeland security; Robert A. Petzel, under secretary for
health at the Department of Veterans Affairs; Mary Sally
Matiella, assistant secretary of the Army; Douglas B Wilson,
an assistant secretary of defense; and Ellen Gloninger Murray,
assistant secretary of health and human services. PTI