Blocked appointments will hinder US policymaking

Significance

Kirk -- a Republican running in a Democratic-leaning state -- is seeking to strike a moderate position in the midst of an acrimonious election-year partisan debate surrounding Senate refusal to approve President Barack Obama's nominees to executive branch and judicial positions, resulting in a high number of outstanding vacancies.

Impacts

• Contractors and hospitals relying on federal payments may encounter more delays and denials than usual due to policy vacancies.
• Republicans may target agencies viewed as particularly 'illegitimate' by their conservative base, such as the IRS.
• Corporations with civil cases before overloaded courts may opt for costly alternative judicial remedies.