Cornyn Threatens To Hold Up Hillary Nomination Over Foundation

[babylonsister]

Foundation concerns could delay Clinton confirmation

REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service

Jan 19, 2009 15:16 EST


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Sen. John Cornyn may hold up the nomination of Hillary Clinton to become secretary of state if his concerns about foreign donations to her husband's foundation are not resolved, a spokesman for the Texas senator said Monday.

"Senator Cornyn is a strong proponent of complete transparency and has fought for as much throughout his time in office. He is keeping all of his options on the table," said his spokesman Kevin McLaughlin in an email reply to Reuters, when asked if Cornyn could block Clinton's nomination.

Democratic lawmakers had hoped to approve President-elect Barack Obama's proposed Cabinet of top advisers within hours or days of his inauguration at noon Tuesday, but Cornyn's objections could stall approval of Clinton for the top U.S. diplomatic job by one or two days.

Cornyn sent Clinton a letter Friday congratulating her on her nomination, but reiterating his belief that the foundation headed by former President Bill Clinton, should refuse all pledges and donations from foreign sources during his wife's tenure as secretary of state.

"Like many others, I remain deeply troubled that America's foreign policy and your diplomatic mission will be encumbered by the sweeping global activities of the Clinton Foundation unless tighter foreign fundraising restrictions and transparency protocols are adopted," he said.

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