Ashcroft hearing set for January 16th; 3 days scheduled
From CNN Capitol Hill Producer Ted Barrett and CNN National Correspondent Bob Franken
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled the
confirmation hearing for Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft to begin on
Tuesday, January 16, a Senate aide has told CNN.
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Sen. John Ashcroft
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Democratic sources tell CNN's Bob Franken that Ronnie White, the black Missouri
Supreme Court Justice who Ashcroft opposed for a federal judgeship, has agreed
to testify Thursday.
Live testimony is expected to take three days, but a vote could be delayed
because the committee is awaiting background material to be sent over from the
FBI and the Bush transition team. The material includes legal writings,
speeches, and other sources of Ascroft's legal views.
The background information has been delayed because of the late conclusion to the election, the aide said.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, and ranking
Republican Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, settled on the schedule at a meeting Tuesday in
Leahy's office.
Senators will deliver opening statements Tuesday afternoon and Ashcroft
will testify Wednesday. The committee is still working to schedule additional witnesses.
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