US Senate passes bill to ease presidential appointments

[JURIST] The US Senate [official website] passed the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act [bill materials] by 79-20 on Wednesday. The bill exempts 170 minor executive posts and 2,800 posts in the US Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Officer Corps [official websites] from requiring congressional confirmation. The bill also lessens the paperwork requirement for any nominee, streamlining the application forms. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) [official website], one of the sponsors of the bill, said [press release]…