Senator threatens to hold U.S. Treasury nominees

WASHINGTON Dec 23 (Reuters) - The Senate Finance Committee's leading Republican said on Wednesday he will place a hold on nominations for several U.S. Treasury Department posts unless the Internal Revenues Service eases up on penalties imposed against small businesses.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said Treasury was "quick to help out big banks but slow to act when small businesses need fair treatment."

The committee is expected to vote on several Treasury nominees on Wednesday afternoon and an aide said Grassley won't try to stop it from doing so but may place a hold on the nominees once a conformation vote reaches the full Senate.

(Reporting by Glenn Somerville)