Confirmation Hearings For Mukasey As New Attorney General Could Begin Oct. 17

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said confirmation hearings on Judge Michael Mukasey as the next attorney general could begin in two weeks. Leahy made the comments during a business meeting of the Judiciary Committee this morning.

"I look forward to meeting with former judge Mukasey on Oct. 16, if that date is convenient to him," Leahy said in his opening statement this morning.

"I anticipate that following our meeting, the committee will commence the confirmation hearing on his nomination to be attorney general of the United States. That could begin as soon as Wednesday, Oct. 17. Before finalizing the date, I want to consult with Sen. Specter, and I also want to see whether there are objections from other senators on this committee. I apologize to the hardworking senators and their staffs who serve this committee that this tentative schedule will necessitate their working intensely through another recess period of the Senate in order to be prepared to proceed our first week back in session."