Dems: Confirmation of new AG contingent on subpoenas being honored

September 18, 2007 Bush Era, D.C., Impeachment Evidence Comments Off on Dems: Confirmation of new AG contingent on subpoenas being honored

leahy_patrick_mtp.jpgthehill.com
No rush for Mukasey confirmation hearing, say Dems
By Elana Schor

President Bush’s choice of Michael Mukasey as the next attorney general won early praise Monday, but Democrats appeared ready to take their time on a confirmation hearing until the administration plays ball on subpoenaed documents that it continues to withhold.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said the White House’s willingness to comply with outstanding subpoenas on its program of eavesdropping on suspected terrorists, as well as the recent U.S. attorney firings, would have a direct impact on the timeframe for a Mukasey confirmation.

“Our focus now will be on securing the relevant information we need so we can proceed to schedule fair and thorough hearings,” Leahy said in a statement.

Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), ranking Republican on the Judiciary panel, expressed hope that “we don’t get bogged down into preconditions on the nomination with respect to certain pending requests.” Installing new senior leadership at the Justice Department has become even more crucial, Specter added, in light of multiple vacancies among senior staff and shaken morale at the agency.

(Original Article)