Senator places holds on all presidential nominations

Upset by President Clinton's recess appointment of gay philanthropist James Hormel as the new ambassador to Luxembourg, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., announced Monday he has placed holds on all presidential nominations, the Tulsa World reported.

"President Clinton has shown contempt for Congress and the Constitution. He has treated the Senate confirmation process as little more than a nuisance, which he can circumvent whenever he wants to impose his will on the country," Inhofe said in a statement.

Hormel's nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but has been stalled by opposition among Republicans for more than a year.

Inhofe said he was following the lead of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who placed a similar hold on President Reagan's nominations in 1985-until Reagan agreed not to make them or notify Congress before doing so.