(January 28, 2009) - After weeks of staunch opposition by one of the Republican Party’s most highly-ranked senators, President Barack Obama’s choice for attorney general finally got the thumbs-up for confirmation.
A judiciary panel vote was set for Wednesday of this week.
Because of solid Democratic support coupled with adequate backing from Republicans to prevent a filibuster, Attorney General-designee Eric Holder’s confirmation had not been considered in doubt, but it was delayed in the vote to press forward that resulted in a stumbling block.
There had also been anticipation that Holder’s confirmation would be the toughest of any of Obama’s selections.
Holder served as a deputy attorney general under President Clinton and his confirmation would make him the nation’s first African-American attorney general.
In acknowledging his support for Holder, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Tuesday that he had decided to vote in Holder’s favor.
Specter said he came to his decision largely because of the “weighty” recommendations of former FBI Director Louis Freeh, James Comey, who served as a deputy attorney general for President George H. W. Bush and former Transportation Secretary William Coleman.
“I begin with the proposition, as I’ve said publicly that I want to help President Obama organize his new administration,” Specter said in a statement. “After considerable thought and analyzing a lot of factors I’ve decided to vote in favor of the confirmation of Mr. Holder.”
Specter had met privately a week ago with Holder, a day after the Judiciary panel was scheduled to vote on his confirmation. But upon a request from Republicans, the vote was postponed for a week – resulting in their second request for a delay in the proceedings.
Prior to Specter’s change of mind, Holder’s confirmation had been held up to demand more time to question him about harsh interrogation techniques and Guantanamo trials as well as other issues.
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Susan Rice, UN Ambassador
(Courtesy Photo)
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Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Susan Rice as ambassador of the United Nations on Jan. 22 by unanimous consent. A Washington, D.C., native, Rice is the first African-American woman to hold the position.
Obama has given the UN Ambassador's position the level of Cabinet rank.
At her confirmation hearing conducted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rice said she would work to strengthen the UN as "an indispensable if imperfect" institution.
Another Obama appointee, Lisa Jackson, was confirmed as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 23, also by unanimous consent. An objection to Jackson was lodged by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) who questioned the role Carol Browner, a former EPA administrator who holds a White House position on energy and climate change, would play in EPA management and Browner's accountability to the Congress.
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Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator (AP Photo)
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Unlike Cabinet positions, White House aides answer to the president for their actions, not to the Congress.
While Barrasso was not completely satisfied with the answer he received, according to the Associated Press, he dropped his objection and Jackson sailed through.
Like Rice, Jackson is the first African American to hold her position.
Another Black appointee still to be confirmed is former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, Obama's choice for U.S. Trade Representative. Kirk's hearings may take place next week before the Senate Finance Committee.
James Wright contributed to this article.