Leahy Sets Nov. 6 Vote For Judiciary Committee On Mukasey

(The Politico)  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has scheduled a Nov. 6 panel vote for retired judge Michael Mukasey to be the next attorney general.

During a hearing today, Leahy said, "I am asking senators who are members of the Judiciary Committee to attend a special markup to consider the nomination of Michael Mukasey to be attorney general of the United States in addition to our already heavy workload and normal weekly business meetings. The extra session would be next Tuesday, November 6."

Mukasey has faced growing Democratic opposition because he refuses to declare the interrogation technique known as "waterboarding" as torture. Judiciary Committee Democrats are not sure if a majority of their panel will support Mukasey at this time because of the controversy, although he still appears to have enough backing to win confirmation, if his nomination makes it to the Senate floor.