|
365Gay.com
 |
Dems
Reportedly May Use Tactic
To Thwart
Bush Recess Appointment
From the
Web, November 15, 2007
|
| |
|
Washington -- Senate Democrats
are reportedly considering a procedural maneuver to prevent President Bush from
using Congress's recess to skirt a vote on James Holsinger to be Surgeon
General.
Bush has used recesses appointments in the past to put nominees in place when
they faced opposition in the Senate. Most notable was that of Judge
William H. Pryor to the eleventh Circuit in 2005.
Democrats who were in the minority at the time balked at Pryor over homophobic
and racist rulings and had tied up a vote on his nomination.
Holsinger's nomination also has been tied up also over homophobic writings.
Now in the majority Democrats fear the President could use the Thanksgiving
recess to bypass the Senate and appoint Holsigner.
Roll Call reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is considering
technically cancelling the recess.
According to the report Reid is mulling a "pro forma" session.
In essence it would mean several members of the Senate would show up on the
floor every three days keeping the Senate session alive.
With no recess Bush would not be able to make a recess appointment.
During Senate health committee hearings on Holsinger's nomination committee
chair Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), said he was worried that if confirmed, Holsinger
would let his own ideological beliefs cloud his scientific judgment. He
referred to the paper that Holsinger wrote on homosexuality for a study
committee of the United Methodist Church.
Holsinger, an MD and professor at the University of Kentucky, is a former head
of Health and Family Services in Kentucky. In addition to his medical
degree he holds an MA in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary and
is one of nine members of the United Methodist Church Judicial Council.
As a member of the council he opposed a decision to allow a lesbian to be an
associate pastor, and supported a pastor who would not permit an openly gay man
to join the church.
In a document titled "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," Holsinger stated
that in his capacity as a physician biology and anatomy precluded considering
LGBT equality in the United Methodist Church. In the document he took
lengths to say that his opinion was his scientific view and that his theological
views are separate.
Holsinger and his wife were founders of Hope Springs Community Church, in
Lexington, which operates a so-called "ex-gay" ministry.
Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological
Association have condemned so-called conversion therapy.
Holsinger this week resigned from the board of the Asbury Theological Seminary.
His appointment is opposed by the Human Rights Campaign, Truth Wins Out and
other LGBT rights groups.
Bush also is said to be considering a number of other recess appointments.
Harry Reid has declined to comment on the Roll Call report.
|
