You can view Legal Ads reprinted from the Press-Republican daily. You can also look through the Legal Ads Archive going back to July 2008.
By JOE LoTEMPLIO
PLATTSBURGH — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is asking the two Kansas senators to cease their blockage of Congressman John McHugh's confirmation as the next secretary of the Army.
McHugh, a Republican from Pierrepont Manor near Watertown, was selected June 2 by President Barack Obama to be the next Army secretary.
His selection was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Aug. 4, but a vote by the full Senate was blocked by Kansas Republican Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts.
The two are concerned that the president is considering moving detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
They are also reportedly upset about McHugh's support of the president's cap-and-trade initiative.
The Senate is now in recess, and McHugh's confirmation will not be voted on until September — if Brownback and Roberts lift their hold.
Gillibrand (D-New York) is asking Brownback and Roberts to allow McHugh's confirmation to go forward as soon as possible.
"As America wages two wars and with multiple international conflicts on the horizon, we can't afford to let politics get in the way of having every military post filled," Gillibrand said.
"We need Congressman McHugh's leadership now more than ever. Each day we hold up his confirmation and keep him from his new post, we compromise the safety and security of all Americans."
If McHugh is confirmed, New York Gov. David Paterson will announce when a special election will be held to fill the remaining year on his term in the 23rd District.
Republicans have chosen Assemblywoman Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava from St. Lawrence County as their candidate, and Democrats have selected Plattsburgh attorney William Owens. Douglas Hoffman, a businessman from Lake Placid, is running on the Conservative Party line.
The vote is likely to be held during the general election in November.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
