Senate Dem Leader Pushes for Obama's Ambassadors

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Democratic leader is calling on Republicans to drop their opposition to President Barack Obama's choices for ambassador to El Salvador and the Czech Republic.

Both Mari Carmen Aponte and Norman Eisen have served as ambassadors after Obama made them recess appointments. But their tenure expires at year's end unless the Senate approves their nominations. Two test votes were scheduled Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the two qualified public servants and argued that if the GOP blocks their nominations, it will be for "naked partisan reasons." Opposition to Aponte stems from unfounded rumors about her relationship with a Cuban-American decades ago and whether Cuban intelligence tried to recruit her. The GOP has said Eisen made misrepresentations to Congress about the firing of a federal official.