Campaign finance squabbles hold up Bush nominees in Senate

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said Tuesday that the decision by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, to hold up action on judges complicates the challenge of reaching agreement with Republicans to move a group of presidential nominees.

"I would say there's a good deal of sand in the gears right now," agreed Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "There are not likely to be any nominations made, or any nominees confirmed anytime soon."

McCain wrote Daschle and Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., Monday, stating his intention to hold up any package of nominations that does not also include Ellen Weintraub, Daschle's pick to serve on the Federal Election Commission. McCain is anxious to get Weintraub on the commission as new campaign finance laws are implemented.

McConnell has said he would hold up Weintraub's nomination unless Democrats agree to move some of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Lott and Daschle have been negotiating on a package of nominees that also would secure Daschle aide Jonathan Adelstein's nomination to serve on the Federal Communications Commission.