Senator lifts threat to block all Clinton nominations

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., late Wednesday lifted his threat to block all Clinton administration nominations, thus clearing the way for the most high-profile pending nomination, that of Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers to replace departing Secretary Robert Rubin.

Inhofe had announced last week that he would block all nominations after President Clinton used a recess appointment to name San Francisco philanthropist James Hormel, who is openly gay, as ambassador to Luxembourg.

The White House informed the Senate leadership Wednesday that, in the future, it would observe the so-called Byrd-Reagan agreement of 1985 and notify the Senate, in advance of a recess, of any pending appointments.

In a prepared statement, Inhofe called the White House pledge a "victory for the Constitution."

And a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., expressed satisfaction with the policy, saying it was the "precise remedy" sought by Inhofe and Lott.

"We're glad he backed down," a Clinton aide said Wednesday of Inhofe's action. "This was never about process in the first place. It's a victory for the forces of tolerance."

Now, Summers' nomination hearing will likely be cordial, according to majority and minority aides, and little in the way of stiff or organized opposition is expected.

However, some Republicans do have concerns about Summers' views on a handful of issues, particularly those involving foreign policy.

One Republican committee source, while stressing that it appears Summers will be confirmed, indicated some GOP members have reservations about his policies on International Monetary Fund issues and foreign currency.

And still troubling to some Republicans is the comment Summers made earlier this year about proponents of estate tax relief. Summers said legislators seeking to repeal estate taxes were guilty of "pure selfishness," which caused a furor.

Republicans may remind Summers of the comment and seek clarification on his views.

A Democratic committee aide predicted Summers will receive a "very good response," adding that among members on both sides there is "respect for Summers even if a senator may disagree with the ways he's handled certain issues."

The source anticipated that members will ask Summers a broad range of questions from the world economic crisis to the fiscal soundness of Medicare and Social Security reform plans.

A Lott spokesman said he was unsure whether Lott would attend the hearing, and but added that Lott does not appear to have any objections to Summers.

"I have not heard that [Lott] has a disfavorable opinion" of him, the spokesman said.