Go Enter ZIP code or state abbreviation. As the first session of the 106th Congress draws to a close, the Senate remains deadlocked over scores of presidential nominations, raising the prospect of more delay in filling judicial vacancies and a rash of recess appointments to other jobs if the impasse is not broken in the next few days. By late last week, the Senate had confirmed 25 of President Clinton's 70 judicial choices for the year, a sharp reduction from the 66 confirmations recorded at this time last year and far less than the number normally approved during the 1980s and early 1990s. The immediate cause of the current stand-off is objections raised by conservative Republicans to the nominations of Californians Marsha L. Berzon and Richard A. Paez to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Democrats have made their nominations a cause celebre, claiming Republicans are especially slow in dealing with nominees who are women or minorities.
Republicans deny any discrimination.
No Paez and Berzon, no McCullough, she said. But it has been blocked so far by Republicans, according to Democrats. Warner hopes to get some action before Congress adjourns for the year. Lugar said he also wants to try to improve communication between lawmakers and the White House on Russia-related issues. The ethics chairmanship changes hands as rapidly as members can escape its unpleasant responsibilities, which include investigating and disciplining colleagues.