WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, is dropping

, saying this evening through a spokesman that he has succeeded in drawing the White House's attention to his concerns over the handling of an aerial refueling tanker contract and a planned explosives analysis center planned for Huntsville.

Shelby said he would continue to hold up three nominees for top defense jobs from winning Senate approval until the final bid package for the tanker is released.

Two of those candidates -- Frank Kendall, and Erin Conaton -- were already facing a blockade from Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile.

(For a complete report, see Tuesday's Press-Register.)

