Blocked judicial nominees resurface

WASHINGTON — President Bush renominated six previously blocked candidates for federal appeals court Wednesday, triggering the first real battle with ascendant Democrats since the midterm election and signaling what could be the start of a fierce two-year struggle over the shape of the federal judiciary.

The move heartened conservatives who worried that Bush would scale back his ambition to move courts to the right and outraged liberals who called it a violation of the spirit of bipartisanship promised since Democrats captured Congress.

The six nominees are: Michael Wallace for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; William Haynes and Terrence Boyle for the 4th Circuit; William Myers and Norman Randy Smith for the 9th Circuit; and Peter Keisler for the D.C. Circuit.

Agencies awaiting budgets stay open

Congress passed a bill Wednesday that keeps open those agencies that are awaiting passages of their budgets as lawmakers seek a deal on lots of unfinished fiscal business.

The temporary spending measure sped through the House and Senate on voice votes. Without passage, 13 Cabinet agencies would have had to close down Friday at midnight. The bill would ensure that the government will remain open through Dec. 8.

Congress has yet to finish nine of 11 spending bills for the budget year that began Oct. 1. Those bills total more than $460 billion.

Thompson looking at presidential run

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary in President Bush's first term, said Wednesday he intends to form a committee to explore a possible run for the White House in 2008.

"I intend to do so after the first of the year," Thompson, a Republican, said in reference to establishing an exploratory committee.

Thompson spent nearly four decades in politics and government, including 14 years as governor. He resigned as HHS secretary in December 2004, shortly after Bush won a second term.

Border fence could cost $30B

The Bush administration's proposal to secure the nation's borders with a high-technology "virtual fence" will likely cost far more than the $2 billion initially estimated by industry analysts, possibly up to $30 billion, a government watchdog agency warned Wednesday.

According to the Homeland Security Department inspector general, the ambitious plan to deploy sensors, cameras and other surveillance technology along 6,000 miles of the borders with Canada and Mexico runs the risk of runaway costs because of poorly defined objectives and a vastly overstretched contracting staff at the department.

The dramatically higher estimates, delivered by Inspector General Richard Skinner to House members, injected a new dose of skepticism into the national debate to curb illegal immigration.

Also

Connecticut race: More than a week after Election Day, Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons conceded to Democrat Joe Courtney on Wednesday. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz confirmed that Courtney had won by 91 votes.

Lobbyist: Jack Abramoff reported Wednesday morning to a federal prison in Maryland, where he will serve a six-year sentence for a fraudulent Florida casino deal.

Seattle Times news services