One of the things that happens--and we have seen a lot of this--we know some Senator is objecting, for example, to a nomination, a high nomination in an executive department and does it secretly so we do not know on the Senate floor, the press who covers this does not have an idea, and the people do not know. Then, the same Senator goes to the department and negotiates policy, national policy about a particular issue that concerns the whole Nation, all our States, and tries to get an agreement, a backroom deal and an agreement. That is not the way we should be doing business, and that is why this very simple proposal: 'No Senator may object on behalf of another Senator without disclosing the name of the Senator.' You own the hold.
On the recordJanuary 25, 2011
Source
govinfo.govEditor's note · Context
Senator Udall addresses the issue of secret holds on nominations and advocates for transparency in the Senate.
Share
More from Tom Udall
Sep 15, 2020
I thank Senator Bennet once again for the good work he is doing there. Just a couple of other words in closing, talking about the career employee scientists, the people who work at the BLM. The men and women who work at the BLM are public…
Jul 11, 2023
The chronic abuse of horses with painkillers and other drugs is just plain wrong.
Oct 25, 2020
I thank the Presiding Officer for the recognition today and thank you very much for being here. Today, the Senate is gathered in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic. More than 220,000 Americans have died, millions more have been…





