Senate Panel Gives Nod To Controversial Ashcroft Nomination
WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (News Agencies) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to confirm President George W. Bush's controversial conservative nominee for attorney general, John Ashcroft.
The approval by the committee's nine Democrats and nine Republicans, in a 10-to-8 vote, sets the stage for a full Senate vote, which could come as soon as Thursday. A full Senate vote is required for confirmation of the nominee.
Russ Feingold, a Democrat from Wisconsin, whose support for Ashcroft was critical, said, "Although Democrats are being asked to follow the political golden rule ... I certainly think that the line must be drawn at some point on the politicization of political appointments."
While most of Bush's cabinet nominations have won confirmation - including Gale Norton as Interior Secretary and Christine Todd Whitman as Environmental Protection Agency chief on Tuesday - his choice of Ashcroft, a former senator and Missouri governor, has run into opposition from Democrats who have questioned his commitment to civil rights.
Opponents also maintain Ashcroft's steadfastly held Christian religious beliefs could impair his willingness to enforce some U.S. laws.
