Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced Dec. 6 that she would not seek a vote in committee on the controversial nomination of Susan Dudley to be the next regulatory czar. In a news report, Collins, chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said that there was little time left in the 109th Congress to act, and Democratic opposition made the vote impractical.

President George W. Bush nominated Dudley to be the head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). With control of the Senate switching to Democrats in January, it is unlikely that Dudley could win confirmation in the Senate. Bush can, however, still push her nomination through with a recess appointment, as he did with Ambassador John Bolton and other controversial nominees. A recess appointment could weaken Dudley’s ability to influence OIRA actions, and it would occur at a time when both parties are vowing to work in a bipartisan manner. Visit Dudley Watch for more information about Dudley’s controversial positions.