03 May 2001

Bolton Confirmation Vote Set for May 8

The U.S. Senate has routinely approved President Bush's nomination of Charles Abell to be assistant secretary of defense for force management policy.

Abell's confirmation on May 3 came without either debate or a formal vote.

The Senate set a vote for May 8 on the far more controversial nomination of John Bolton to be under secretary of state for arms control and international security. That vote will follow a scheduled three hours of floor debate on the nomination on May 7.

Bolton's nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a narrow 10-8 vote, divided almost totally along political party lines. Only Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin broke with his Democratic colleagues to join all nine committee Republicans in voting in favor.

Bolton's opponents argue that his previously stated positions on arms control issues make him a poor choice to carry out the duties of the arms control position.