Judiciary to Vote Wednesday on Holder Nomination

Posted January 26, 2009 at 4:09pm

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve President Barack Obama’s nomination of Eric Holder for attorney general on Wednesday, but it remains unclear when the full Senate will vote as Republicans hold onto the possibility of stalling the appointment, GOP aides said today. Although Holder’s ultimate confirmation is not in doubt, one senior GOP aide said on Monday that Judiciary Committee Republicans remain dissatisfied with the amount of time they have had to probe Holder’s past and his character. That sentiment is unlikely to derail Holder’s committee vote on Wednesday, but it could prompt one or two Senators to put a temporary hold on the nomination, the aide said. Judiciary Republicans last week put a one-week hold on Holder’s confirmation, complaining that Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) had not given them enough time to question Holder or review Holder’s answers to written questions submitted during the vetting process. Holder has come under fire in some circles for his role in a series of controversial pardons during the Clinton administration, where Holder served as deputy attorney general. Lawmakers also have questioned his positions on torture and interrogation practices.