The following article by Elana Schor and Lauren Gardner was posted on the Politico website November 14, 2017:
The Senate on Tuesday narrowly confirmed Steven Bradbury to join the Department of Transportation, with two Republicans voting with Democrats in opposition over Bradbury’s authorship of so-called torture memos during the George W. Bush administration.
The 50-47 vote came after an impassioned plea from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who joined Democrats in a push to derail Bradbury’s confirmation as the general counsel at DOT. McCain did change one mind, however, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) voting no after crossing the aisle to support Bradbury on a key procedural vote Monday.
Manchin said in an interview after the vote that he “would try to be supportive of any administration” on nominees and that Bradbury had impressed him during their meeting. But when McCain called him Tuesday to personally ask for a no vote, Manchin said, he changed course “because of John’s service to our country, my respect and admiration for John.” Continue reading “Senate confirms Bradbury after fight over ‘torture memos’”