Obama names 15 recess appointments in federal agencies, citing GOP stalling tactics in Senate

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Obama makes 15 recess appointments, scolds GOP

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is making 15 recess appointments and blaming Senate Republicans for forcing his hand.

In a written statement, Obama says the positions include key members of his economic team, as well as members of the National Labor Relations Board and the head of Customs and Border Protection.

Obama says the Senate has the responsibility to accept or reject his nominees, but that Republicans won’t even do that.

Obama says he must act and fill the jobs on an interim basis. Congress is out of session on a break for the Easter and Passover holidays.

The White House says the appointees have been awaiting a vote for an average of seven months. Obama is naming people to serve in the departments of the Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security and other agencies.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is making 15 recess appointments and blaming Senate Republicans for forcing his hand.

In a written statement, Obama says the positions include key members of his economic team, as well as members of the National Labor Relations Board and the head of Customs and Board Protection.

Obama says the Senate has the responsibility to accept or reject his nominees, but that Republicans won’t even do that.

Obama says he must act and fill the jobs on an interim basis. Congress is out of session on a break for the Easter and Passover holidays.

The White House says the appointees have been awaiting a vote for an average of seven months. Obama is naming people to serve in the departments of the Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security and other agencies.