Senator upset by Williams appointment

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has said he is disappointed with President Bush for naming Jim Williams acting administrator of the General Services Administration.“It’s unfortunate this designation was made because I have a lot of outstanding questions that have yet to be answered based on [Williams’] hearing statements as well as my previous oversight of the GSA,” Grassley said.Bush designated Williams to be acting administrator Aug. 19. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.Grassley objected to the nomination of Williams to be administrator because of his role in a controversy involving Sun Microsystems. Grassley said Williams pressured contracting officers to give Sun a multiple-award schedule contract despite their objections.Because of his concerns, Grassley put a hold on any further action by the Senate on Williams’ nomination. See related story.