IRS nominees in limbo

Senate Finance Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is refusing to hold confirmation hearings for two Treasury officials until the White House approves a new term for a constituent on the IRS' oversight board, sources told Bloomberg News.

President Bush in April nominated Teresa Ressel to be the Treasury's assistant secretary for management and Rob Nichols to be its assistant secretary for public affairs. Both are serving in an acting capacity and need endorsement from Grassley's panel and the full Senate before receiving permanent titles and certain powers.

Grassley has told the White House he would not convene a hearing until it nominates Charles Kolbe, chairman of Red Oak Hereford Farms Inc. of Red Oak, Iowa, to serve a second term on the IRS oversight panel, the sources said. Kolbe's current term began in 2000 and ends in September. A spokeswoman for Grassley did not return phone calls and e-mails requesting a comment.