[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11842]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 11842]]

                PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT OF JAMES HORMEL

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I was very surprised and disappointed to 
find that during our recess when we were not here, the President made a 
very controversial appointment of James Hormel to be U.S. Ambassador to 
Luxembourg. I believe it is something that should not be done. In fact, 
when I think of procedures, I look to a man I admire so much, Senator 
Bob Byrd from West Virginia.
  During a recess in 1985, President Reagan made several appointments. 
Senator Byrd said: The recess appointment power should not be used 
simply to avoid controversy or to circumvent the constitutional power 
and responsibility of the Senate. In several cases, Reagan's recess 
appointments avoided serious and probing debate by the Senate on 
controversial issues. There is no evidence that the needs of government 
required any of these appointments to be made as recess appointments.
  Then Senator Byrd went on to give the history, as he always does in 
his very eloquent style, as to how the Constitution does provide for 
emergencies, for such things as appointments back in the 1800s when 
people were traveling and unable to get here or when something 
strategic is pending. In the case of James Hormel, certainly there is 
not anything strategic pending.
  For that reason, I am serving official notice today that I am going 
to do the same thing Senator Byrd did back in 1985: I am putting holds 
on every single Presidential nomination.
  In the case of James Hormel, it is a little confusing to a lot of 
people as to why he became controversial. Yes, he is gay. That is not 
the reason for people opposing him. It is the fact that he is a gay 
activist who puts his agenda ahead of the agenda of America.
  I can recall when he made the statement when first nominated by the 
President: I wish the President had nominated me to be Ambassador to 
Norway, because if they have something on the ballot--same-sex 
marriages or something like that--I might be able to influence it.
  That, to me, demonstrated very clearly that he wanted to use this 
position to advance his own agenda and not the agenda of America.
  I hasten to say, I would have the same feelings about any other 
appointment on any other issue. If David Duke were appointed and came 
to the conclusion he was going to use his militia interests as his 
motivation and his agenda more than America's agenda, I certainly would 
oppose that nomination in the same way. Notice is hereby served.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative assistant proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. STEVENS. I ask for the regular order.

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