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Frist Expects Bolton Vote Within Days By David Francis WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said today he plans to schedule a vote to close Senate debate on John Bolton, paving the way for a decision on Bolton’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (see GSN, June 10). Frist, who was joined by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) at a press conference this morning, said the delay was preventing important changes from happening at the United Nations. “It is time to reform the U.N.,” Frist said. “It is time to bring Bolton to the floor for an up or down vote.” Frist said he hopes to have a cloture vote on debate over the appointment this week, with a vote on the appointment to follow soon after. McCain said the lack of a permanent representative detracts from the United States’ power within the U.N. General Assembly. He said Bolton had proven himself worthy of the post. “I believe that John Bolton has proven his credentials,” McCain said. “I also believe the president has the right to appoint his own team, particularly in as important a position as ambassador to the U.N. So I'm very hopeful that we can continue these negotiations, wrap them up as quickly as possible.” Frist said negotiations with Democrats over the nomination will continue for now, but added that the Bush administration has turned over all relevant information. “The information that is appropriate has been provided [by the White House] through appropriate channels,” Frist said. It was not clear yesterday whether Republicans had the 60 votes necessary to close Senate debate on Bolton, the Associated Press reported. There are 55 Republican senators, and three Democrats have indicated they support cloture. Democratic minority leader Harry Reid (Nev.) “is not aware that anyone is preparing to switch their votes,” spokesman Jim Manley told AP. Democrats have stalled the nomination because the White House has refused to hand over the names of officials mentioned in communications Bolton requested from the National Security Agency as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. Democrats also want information on Bolton’s handing of intelligence on Syria, AP reported. Senate intelligence committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) yesterday told high-ranking Democrats that Bolton acted properly in asking for the names. “I have directed staff to examine Undersecretary Bolton’s use of intelligence and after careful review, the Senate intelligence committee continues to find no evidence of abuse. I am prepared to assist in any reasonable effort to examine the facts, but an examination of upwards of 40 names appears to be an effort to preserve the issue, not to resolve it,” Roberts wrote in a letter to Senators Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Joseph Biden (D-Del.). Roberts also said his staff found no instances where Bolton “sought retribution” against analysts who disagreed with his intelligence assessments.
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