Panel schedules Mercer hearing(for nomination to DOJ's #3 position)

[maddezmom]

Source: Gazette Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Montana U.S. Attorney William Mercer will face tough questioning at a long-anticipated hearing on his nomination to the No. 3 Justice Department position, which will take place in less than two weeks, a Senate committee announced Thursday.

Mercer, who has held both jobs since last fall, will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 26. The panel had delayed holding the hearing because of concerns over Mercer's role in the firing of eight federal prosecutors.

The hearing will not result in an immediate vote on Mercer's nomination. Rather, there will be time for written follow-up questions and consideration before the panel schedules a vote.

~snip~

Committee members plan to ask Mercer detailed questions about his role in the prosecutor firings as they weigh whether to support him as associate attorney general.

Judiciary Committee spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said the hearing will be crucial to that decision.



Read more: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/06/15/news/state/25-mercer.txt