In a unanimous vote, the Senate yesterday confirmed the third Cabinet nominee of the year, making current HUD Assistant Secretary Andrew Cuomo the new HUD secretary.
The 99-0 vote -- Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, was absent -- was identical to those cast to confirm Secretary of State Albright and Defense Secretary Cohen last week.
"I am privileged to support the confirmation of a native New Yorker, particularly one who has done so much in the area of housing in a relatively short period of time," said Senate Banking Chairman D'Amato -- who often was at odds with Cuomo's father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. In fact, Andrew Cuomo had been mentioned as a possible candidate against D'Amato in 1998 prior to his appointment as HUD secretary.
Also, the Senate Commerce Committee today voted 19-1 to approve Chicago attorney William Daley -- son of a former Chicago mayor and brother of the current mayor -- as Commerce secretary.
"Mr. Daley will face a monumental task in restoring the reputation of the Department of Commerce," said Commerce Chairman McCain, who added, "I feel confident, nonetheless, that he is capable of this responsibility."
Less confident was Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he did not believe Daley had the "vision" required to set things right at the department. Senate Majority Leader Lott has said he wants the Senate to vote on Daley sometime Thursday.
On the defense and foreign policy front, the White House today said Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has told Cohen he intends to step down in September. Shalikashvili, 60, has served two two-year terms under Clinton and his decision would be in keeping with tradition that no JCS chief serve more than two terms.
Meanwhile, Rep. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., President Clinton's choice for United Nations ambassador, got plenty of support for his nomination at today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, including the endorsement of House International Relations Chairman Gilman. But he also was warned by Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Helms, who referred to the United Nations as "that dysfunctional institution" the administration is wrong if it thinks forcing Boutros-Boutros Ghali out as UN secretary general means the United States should immediately make good on its overdue contributions.
"I sincerely hope that that is not your position, because it's not likely to happen unless and until some important understandings have been agreed to," said Helms.
NEXT STORY: DOE Still in Crosshairs