Senator Vows to Block OK of Medicare Nominee
Democratic Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota said Tuesday that he would block Senate confirmation of President Bush’s choice to run Medicare until the nominee answered questions about importation of drugs from Canada.
Mark McClellan, whose nomination was approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee, wants to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
But Monday he refused a request from Dorgan and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee. The senators want to question McClellan about his opposition to importing prescription drugs from Canada. But McClellan said he wouldn’t answer questions before taking over the program.
A single senator can block a nomination from moving forward by placing a hold on it.
The Senate Finance Committee approved the nomination, 18-2. Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and Bob Graham of Florida voted no.
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