This quote from a Fox News story puts a different slant on Shelby's motives.
WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has released most of the "holds" he had placed on President Obama's nominees, his office said Monday.
"The purpose of placing numerous holds was to get the White House's attention on two issues that are critical to our national security -- the Air Force's aerial refueling tanker acquisition and the FBI's Terrorist Device Analytical Center," Shelby spokesman Jonathan Graffeo said in a statement released to news organizations Monday night.
Shelby wants the tanker and the new FBI explosives center to be built in Alabama. Senators frequently block individual appointments, but Shelby's blanket hold was unusual.
Now that he has gotten Obama's attention, Graffeo said, "Sen. Shelby has decided to release his holds on all but a few nominees directly related to the Air Force tanker acquisition."
Link to the story