Dec 6, 2006 4:41 pm US/Central
Senate Won't Vote Now On Attorney Nomination
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
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U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (File)
CBS
Minnesota's acting U.S. attorney picked up key support Wednesday for permanent confirmation, but it wasn't immediately clear whether Rachel Paulose could expect a vote before Congress adjourns this year.
Paulose met Wednesday with Sen. Mark Dayton, who hadn't taken a position on her nomination because he said she hadn't sought a meeting. Afterward, he said she had his support.
Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., had already backed Paulose, calling her "an extremely competent and capable professional." But the Senate Judiciary Committee generally doesn't vote on a nominee without the support of both of a nominee's home-state senators.
A spokesman for Coleman said the senator was going to try to get her through the Senate this year.
"We are working to see if there is way to get her confirmed, but, given the time constraints, it remains somewhat of a long shot," said the spokesman, Luke Friedrich.
Paulose, 33, has been acting U.S. attorney for nine months, and President Bush nominated her to the permanent post four months ago. If the Senate fails to take up her nomination before adjourning next week, Bush can resubmit her next year.
If confirmed to permanently succeed Tom Heffelfinger, Paulose would be the youngest current U.S. attorney and Minnesota's first woman confirmed to the post.
Bush also could make a recess appointment of Paulose, which would last through the end of 2008.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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