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Senate overwhelmingly approves U.S. attorneys bill |
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By Klaus Marre
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Posted: 03/20/07 12:53 PM [ET] |
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The Senate Tuesday voted nearly unanimously to curb the authority of the attorney general with respect to the appointment of U.S. attorneys. The Patriot Act reauthorization last year allowed the attorney general to bypass the Senate confirmation process for U.S. attorneys by filling vacancies for an indefinite time. Under the bill (S. 214), which passed 94–2 with only Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.) opposed, the attorney general can still name an interim U.S. attorney for up to 120 days. However, after that time the president must sent a permanent nominee to the Senate for confirmation. If that does not happen, a district court would then have the authority to appoint an interim U.S. attorney. |
