Dems to Gonzo: Stop firing US Attorneys without cause

[deminks]

Raw Story has a copy of the letter that Dem Senators sent to Gonzo prior to his testimony on Thursday.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Patriot_Act_appointments_0116.html

A little-known, year-old amendment to the USA Patriot Act is allowing the Bush Administration to replace outgoing U.S. Attorneys with controversial appointments in a process that circumvents the usual approval process in the Senate, and three Democrats are charging that an unknown number of attorneys have been asked to resign "without cause."

(snip)

Democratic Senators Feinstein, Leahy, and Pryor also announced last week their intent to introduce legislation that will return the interim appointment power to the District Courts. Leahy and Feinstein additionally wrote Attorney General, asking him to table any Justice Department requests asking U.S. Attorneys to step down, and to cease any plans to appoint replacements until the forthcoming bill has had a hearing in the Senate.

The letter, acquired by RAW STORY, appears below.

Recently, it has come to our attention that the Department of Justice has asked several U.S. Attorneys from around the country to resign their positions by the end of the month, prior to the end of their terms without cause. We also understand the intention is to have your office appoint interim replacements and potentially avoid the Senate confirmation process altogether.

(snip)

Please provide information regarding all instances in which you have exercised the authority to appoint an interim United States Attorney. In addition, please provide us with information on whether any efforts have been made to ask or encourage the former or current U.S. Attorneys to resign their position.

We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and written answers prior to your appearance before the Judiciary Committee on January 18, 2007.

(end snips)

for previous info on specific attorneys that have been asked to leave, see discussion here (at least one has been replaced with a political hack):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3131414&mesg_id=3131414

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. glad you did this

very important developments... k&r

[HappyWeasel]

2. ....and so...

The re-conquest of america proceeds slowly and painfully...will we every liberate America?

[fooj]

3. I want that RAT BASTARD held accountable!

Thanks for the post.

[Fridays Child]

4. Good for Feinstein, Leahy, and Pryor. Now, what other imperial ambitions...

...are buried in the Patriot (gag me) Act?

[fooj]

5. I want that RAT BASTARD held accountable!

Thanks for the post.

[illinoisprogressive]

6. They just keep finding new lows to sink to

[SCDem]

7. Oops posted in wrong area

[Tatiana]

8. This could get interesting. Mark your calendars....

DATE: January 18, 2007
TIME: 09:30 AM
ROOM: Dirksen-106
OFFICIAL HEARING NOTICE / WITNESS LIST:


NOTICE OF FULL COMMITTEE HEARING

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice” on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 106.

By order of the Chairman


Witness List

Hearing before the
Senate Judiciary Committee
on
Department of Justice Oversight

Thursday, January 18, 2007
Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 106
9:30 a.m.

PANEL I

The Honorable Alberto Gonzales
Attorney General of the United States
Department of Justice
Washington, DC