Monday, February 08, 2010
Sen. Richard "Show Me the Money" Shelby
More than 70 political appointees to federal posts are being held up in the U.S. Senate by one man—Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL)—who wants approximately $40 billion in programs for his state, or else. Critics have accused Shelby of extortion in his efforts to have new military and law enforcement operations based in Alabama. He also has been publicly criticized by President Barack Obama and Democratic senators Harry Reid of Nevada, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Carl Levin of Michigan for tying up so many nominations, including those affecting national security and the federal judiciary.
The most expensive of the programs sought by Shelby is the new aerial refueling tanker wanted by the U.S. Air Force. Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS, the European consortium behind Airbus, are working together to get the $40 billion contract, and plan to manufacture the planes in Mobile. But the companies are threatening to pull out of the bidding process unless the Air Force makes changes to their liking. Shelby is trying to add his own leverage by holding up the Senate confirmations to get the Air Force to comply.
Shelby also wants a new Alabama-based FBI center to analyze improvised explosive devices, but the Obama administration has refused so far to go along with the idea.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Reid: Shelby Has Hold On All Nominees (by Dan Friedman and Megan Scully, CongressDaily)
Sen. Shelby Blocks Nominees, Demands Billions in Earmarks (Truth-First.com)
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