President Barack Obama is bypassing the Senate and using his recess appointment power to name a deputy attorney general candidate who had been held up by Republicans over concerns about the nominee's links to American International Group.
Obama named James Cole to the Justice Department position on Wednesday. Cole was an independent consultant to AIG prior to its near collapse and government bailout in 2008. Senate Republicans complained that confidentiality agreements prevented them from receiving answers about his work for the company.
Cole was among six appointments that Obama announced from his vacation in Hawaii, including ambassadors to Turkey and Syria.
The recess appointments mean the six people can serve in their jobs through the end of 2011, when the Senate finishes its term.
Shares