(Newser)
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The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed today’s scheduled vote on Eric Holder’s confirmation by another week, CNN reports. Republican members engineered the move, saying they have questions about the attorney-general nominee’s stance on interrogation techniques. Chairman Patrick Leahy, who said he was “extremely disappointed,” banged down his gavel before leaving the hearing room this afternoon.
As it became apparent that GOP senators would exercise their right to postpone the vote, Leahy said, “It would look like a horrible double standard for those who enthusiastically voted unanimously for Alberto Gonzales to turn down the first African-American or hold up the first African-American to be attorney general.” Arlen Specter, the only Republican committee member present, criticized the “hurried nature of the hearings.”
