Leahy To Meet With Holder Today

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) will meet with President-elect Barack Obama's Attorney General nominee today to begin mapping out the process for a rapid confirmation when the 111th Congress convenes next month. Leahy, who is a strong and powerful supporter of Eric Holder's nomination, has already given the Attorney General nominee the bipartisan questionnaire he must complete in preparation for the hearings.

"He is an outstanding nominee for this challenging position, and he should have the support of senators from both sides of the aisle," said Leahy last week. "I plan to consult with our Ranking Republican and then schedule Mr. Holder’s confirmation hearing as promptly as possible."

"Rebuilding morale and public confidence in the Justice Department continues to be a top priority, and Eric Holder’s extensive experience and knowledge of the Department will serve him well as he faces many challenges as Attorney General. After the scandals that have undermined the public’s trust in the Justice Department and that have damaged the morale of its dedicated professionals, it would be especially fitting to bring in a leader who is widely admired by the staff and especially by the professionals of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation."

With the chairman of the Judiciary Committee pushing hard already for rapid confirmation and with almost no chance that the Republicans would be stupid enough to try to filibuster any of Obama's initial nominees, Holder should be confirmed and sworn in very quickly.