http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012102364.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletterRepublicans put new obstacles in the path of Eric H. Holder Jr.'s quest to become attorney general, raising concerns that he would prosecute intelligence agents who engaged in potentially illegal interrogation techniques and postponing consideration of his nomination.
The Senate easily confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state yesterday on a 94 to 2 vote after Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) dropped his request for more information about foreign donations to former president Bill Clinton's charitable foundation. Cornyn said yesterday that he had been swayed by a private conversation with Clinton, and he was among those supporting her nomination. Republican Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.) and David Vitter (La.) cast the dissenting votes.
But even as Cornyn was getting out of the way of one appointee to President Obama's Cabinet, he raised new questions about another. The Senate Judiciary Committee decided yesterday morning to delay a vote to send Holder's nomination to the full Senate while lawmakers attended the morning National Prayer Service with Obama. The hearing was rescheduled for yesterday, but Republicans then requested a one-week delay on the nomination that Democrats were required to grant under committee rules.
Holder has generated more controversy than any other Obama nominee and was sharply questioned in an appearance before the committee last week. Many senators, including some Democrats, said they were troubled by his role in the pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich in the final days of the Clinton administration.
MORE at the link above --