Reid delays votes on ‘important’ nominees

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) delayed votes on two “important” nominations for more than two weeks.

On Friday, the Senate was suppose to consider and confirm the nominations of Michelle Friedland to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and David Weil to be administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. But after members complained about having to work on a Friday, Reid decided to postpone those votes until after a two-week Easter recess.

{mosads}Reid asked unanimous consent to hold those votes for the evening of Monday, April 28, when the Senate returns.

Reid tried to hold the votes Thursday, but Republicans refused to yield back their debate time. Reid said Democrats would stay and finish work on the nominations without Republicans since only a simply majority was needed, but it appears Democrats abandoned him as well.

When Republicans refused to allow the votes Thursday, Reid insisted it was important that the Senate approve the nominees this week so it can focus on legislation to increase the federal minimum wage when it returns more than two weeks later.

Reid frequently threatens Friday and weekend work, but it rarely happens.

Before adjourning for the recess, Reid filed cloture on six more nominations, meaning the first week the Senate returns will be consumed by votes on nominees.

Reid also schedule another nomination vote for April 28 on the nomination of Katherine O’Regan to be an assistant secretary of Housing and Urban Development.