Republicans are blasting President Barack Obama for appointing Donald Berwick as Medicare administrator while Congress is in recess.
The White House has defended the move, arguing that too many of Obama’s nominations have been bogged down in the Senate and Berwick’s position is essential as aspects of the health care legislation begin to be put in place.
The GOP, on the other hand, has called the move a power grab have found a Democrat to agree with them: Montana Sen. Max Baucus. <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/baucus-objects-to-recess-appointment/" title="From the New York Times:”>From the New York Times:
“I’m troubled that, rather than going through the standard nomination process, Dr. Berwick was recess-appointed,’’ Mr. Baucus said.
“Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power and protects Montanans and all Americans by ensuring that crucial questions are asked of the nominee, and answered,’’ Mr. Baucus said.
The Finance Committee was still vetting Mr. Berwick and had not scheduled a confirmation hearing.