The new anti-gun AG is almost home.
Judiciary Committee endorses Holder for attorney generalPosted: 11:13 AM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to send the nomination of Attorney General-designate Eric Holder to the full Senate.
The committee's Democratic members unanimously supported Holder; GOP Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma voted no.
Holder's Senate floor vote and swearing in could be completed as soon as Thursday.
The committee's endorsement of Holder was virtually assured on Tuesday when the committee's top Republican, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, announced his support of Holder's nomination.
Specter had angered Holder during the committee's confirmation hearing 11 days ago when he questioned Holder's "fitness" for the office.
In particular, the Pennsylvania senator questioned whether Holder would be politically independent from the White House, recalling Holder's refusal as deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration to seek an independent counsel for an investigation of allegedly questionable fund-raising by then-Vice President Al Gore.
A clearly annoyed Holder warned Specter he was "getting close to the line in questioning my integrity."
It was the only heated exchange during a long day of testimony.
Specter, who later met with Holder privately, had also been particularly aggressive in challenging Holder's account of his role in the pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich by President Bill Clinton. He raised additional concerns about the possible prosecution of Bush-era officials who were operating under what they presumed to be a lawful order when they engaged in harsh interrogation techniques.
Outgoing Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip is serving as acting attorney general until Holder arrives at the Justice Department.
If confirmed by the full Senate, Holder, 58, will become the nation's first African-American attorney general.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/28/judiciary-committee-endorses-holder-for-attorney-general/#more-37592