Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Republicans might delay the nomination of David Ogden as the next deputy attorney general, The BLT reports.
“I am very disappointed…[Ogden] is being held up and filibustered by Senate Republicans,” Leahy said at a Judiciary committee meeting yesterday.
Courtesy Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
Republican leaders downplayed from the possibility of a filibuster.
“You’re asking me questions beyond the scope of my authority or knowledge,” said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told The BLT after the Judiciary meeting yesterday.
The chairman’s aides later told The BLT that Senate Democrats have enough votes to override a filibuster, but said the Republicans may use other methods to delay Ogden’s appointment.
Some Republicans have opposed Ogden because he is a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr, which has some pornographers among its clients, The BLT said.
Ogden, along with Associate Attorney General nominee Thomas Perrelli; Solicitor General nominee Elena Kagan; and David Kris, Assistant Attorney General nominee for the National Security Division, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with large majorities. A Senate confirmation vote on the nominees is expected next week.
