Denis McDonough, White House chief of staff, said Wednesday that he encouraged Senate Democratic leaders to make approving presidential nominees a priority for the lame-duck session.
“[We] really want to make sure we get our nominations so we can undertake all these important efforts that we’re leading really across the globe,” Mr. McDonough told reporters following a meeting on Capitol Hill with Senate Democratic leadership.
The nomination of Loretta Lynch to serve as the next attorney general did not come up specifically, he said. The focus, instead, was on nominations in general and getting “our people into the slots.”
Mr. McDonough also emphasized the administration’s preference for an omnibus budget bill instead of a continuing resolution.
He said he also spoke with senators about the need to approve increased funding for Ebola and an authorization for use of military force against the Islamic State before Republicans take control of the upper chamber in January.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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