Holder AG confirmation hearings to begin early January: Leahy News
Holder AG confirmation hearings to begin early January: Leahy

[JURIST] US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) [official website] on Monday told reporters that confirmation hearings for Attorney General nominee Eric Holder [professional profile] would begin in January, as soon as the Senate reconvenes. Leahy, who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee [official website], met privately with Holder on Monday. Leahy hopes for a confirmation vote [The Hill report] as soon as President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated on January 20. Leahy said [press conference transcript and video]:

[Holder] will have a mandate to rebuild morale and public confidence in the Justice Department. That has to be his top priority. And Eric Holder’s extensive experience and knowledge of the Department will serve him well as he restores confidence to a great Justice Department. I will consult with our ranking republican then schedule his confirmation hearings promptly.

Leahy then escorted Holder to a three-day meeting with Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) [official website], the committee's ranking republican.

Obama officially announced his nomination of Holder [JURIST report] last week. Holder served as Deputy US Attorney General [archive materials] during the Clinton administration. Republicans have criticized [JURIST report] Holder for his role in the 2001 pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich [Time backgrounder]. If confirmed by the Senate, Holder would be the first African-American to lead the Justice Department.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.