Tanker, center cause Shelby's hold

In the latest twist of the Air Force tanker competition, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., placed a hold on dozens of President Obama's nominees. A spokesman said Shelby's concerned about the tanker request for proposal and funding for a counterterrorism center. On the tanker issue, Boeing is competing against the Northrop Grumman/EADS team, which wants to assemble the tankers in Mobile, Ala. Northrop sees the draft RFP as tilted towards the smaller Boeing plane and won't bid if the RFP isn't changed. On the center, Shelby is concerned the president's proposed 2011 budget rescinds funds to build the FBI Terrorist Explosives Devices Analytical Center in Huntsville. Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, called the hold an example of a broken Washington. (Sources: Multiple, including New York Times, Mobile Press-Register, TPM, 02/05/10)