confirmation hearings – News Stories About confirmation hearings - Page 5

Clinton Promises 'Smart Power' in Cozy Hearing

Jan 13, 2009 10:04 AM CST

Clinton Promises 'Smart Power' in Cozy Hearing

Back-patting abounds

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton promised a new “smart power” era of US foreign policy today, advocating a mix of diplomacy and defense, in a decidedly friendly confirmation hearing today, the AP reports. “America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America,...

Kerry, Clinton Face Off at
State Hearings

Jan 13, 2009 7:23 AM CST

Kerry, Clinton Face Off at State Hearings

Foreign Relations chair says no sour grapes on being passed over

(Newser) - Today's confirmation hearings for Hillary Clinton also mark John Kerry's debut as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It could be an awkward meeting as she interviews for the job he openly campaigned for—after he dumped her to back Obama in the presidential race. But Kerry's putting a...

Clinton Collected $500K From Japanese Firm for...Nothing?

Jan 13, 2009 5:38 AM CST

Clinton Collected $500K From Japanese Firm for...Nothing?

Pricey non-speech could raise difficult questions for Hillary

(Newser) - The Senate panel considering Hillary Clinton's secretary of state nomination today may ask why her husband's most expensive speech was one he never gave, the Los Angeles Times reports. Clinton received $500,000—double what he received for other speeches on the same tour—for the canceled speech he was...

Republicans
Picking a Fight
Over Holder

Jan 9, 2009 10:45 AM CST

Republicans Picking a Fight Over Holder

Dems need one GOP vote to move AG pick out of committee

(Newser) - Senate Republicans seem to have settled on attorney-general-designate Eric Holder as their main target for a tough confirmation hearing. Thanks to his liberal leanings and his role in the Clinton administration—especially the controversial 11th-hour Marc Rich pardon—Holder will get a grilling in the Judiciary Committee. Ranking Republican Arlen...

Biden: Handling of
Panetta a 'Mistake'

Jan 6, 2009 6:04 PM CST

Biden: Handling of Panetta a 'Mistake'

(Newser) - Joe Biden defended the pick of Leon Panetta to head the CIA but offered an apology of sorts for the way it was handled, Politico reports. “I think it was just a mistake,” Biden said of not informing top Democrats of the choice, which led to a chiding...

GOP May Grill Bill at Hillary's Hearing

Dec 11, 2008 2:16 AM CST

GOP May Grill Bill at Hillary's Hearing

Lawmakers likely to raise conflict of interest issues

(Newser) - Senate Republicans are considering calling on Bill Clinton to testify at his wife's confirmation hearing for secretary of State, Politico reports. It's unusual for anybody apart from the nominee to testify at a confirmation hearing. But GOP lawmakers are concerned about Bill's worldwide business dealings and their potential impact on...

Obama Taps Holder for AG

Nov 18, 2008 3:38 PM CST

Obama Taps Holder for AG

DC lawyer, who has accepted post, oversaw VP selection; confirmation looks likely

(Newser) - Eric Holder, a former US Attorney, judge, and deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton, will be Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department, Newsweek reports. Sources say Holder has been considered for the post from the beginning, and he ran the Democrat’s vice-presidential search along with Caroline...

Senate Confirms Iraq Generals
in New Jobs

Jul 10, 2008 2:43 PM CDT

Senate Confirms Iraq Generals in New Jobs

Petraeus now Middle East chief; Odierno takes over in Baghdad

(Newser) - The Senate today confirmed Gen. David Petraeus as the top commander in the Middle East and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno to replace Petraeus as the chief military officer in Iraq. Last year, Petraeus helped to tame growing opposition to the Iraq war in Congress by providing measured assessments of progress...

Mukasey Calls Waterboarding 'Repugnant,' Dodges Legality

Oct 31, 2007 6:09 AM CDT

Mukasey Calls Waterboarding 'Repugnant,' Dodges Legality

AG nominee's 'massive hedge' worries critics

(Newser) - Attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey frustrated senators on both sides of the aisle by again refusing to specify whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture, calling it only "repugnant," CNN reports. "Hypotheticals are different from real life," Mukasey wrote to confirmation committee members yesterday, adding...

Mukasey Hits Resistance
on Torture

Oct 27, 2007 6:47 AM CDT

Mukasey Hits Resistance on Torture

Dems balk over AG nominee's refusal to rule out waterboarding

(Newser) - If AG nominee Michael Mukasey doesn't clarify his views on which interrogation techniques are constitutional, Democratic senators say they may oppose his confirmation. Proceedings that were expected to be smooth sailing ran into trouble this week when Mukasey, who has denounced the use of torture, declined to specify whether he...