Obama names Aponte El Salvador ambassador in recess appointment

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Friday, 08.20.10
Obama names Aponte El Salvador ambassador in recess appointment

By Ed O'Keefe
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 20, 2010

President Obama made four recess appointments Thursday for nominees that have waited an average of 303 days for confirmation, the White House said.

"At a time when our nation faces so many pressing challenges, I urge members of the Senate to stop playing politics with our highly qualified nominees, and fulfill their responsibilities of advice and consent," Obama said in a statement announcing the appointments. "Until they do, I reserve the right to act within my authority to do what is best for the American people."

The most contentious of the appointments is Maria del Carmen Aponte, the administration's pick for ambassador to El Salvador.

Senate Republicans questioned her during a March confirmation hearing about a former romantic relationship with a Cuban national connected to Cuban intelligence.

She denied any contact with Cuban intelligence officials but said she met some Cuban officials socially over the course of the relationship.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and other Republicans later placed a hold on Aponte's nomination as they sought additional information about her background.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/20/1784514/obama-names-aponte-el-salvador.html