WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- The White House slammed U.S. Senate Democrats Wednesday for stalling the confirmation vote on U.N. Ambassador nominee John Bolton.
The nomination is stuck in debate on the Senate floor after being passed on by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but Republicans are unable to gather the required 60 votes to cut off debate and bring the matter to a vote.
"We urge the Senate to move forward as soon as possible," spokesman Scott McClellan said. "(Bolton) shares the president's commitment to reform at the U.N."
Bolton, a career diplomat, as been attacked by Democrats and other critics over allegations he manipulated intelligence data to back up his policy viewpoints and had abused his subordinates.
McClellan said Democrats demanding release of classified papers were merely stalling the vote, since many had already expressed their opposition to Bush's choice to represent the United States at the international body.
