The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday postponed for the fourth time a vote on the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel because of the White House health care summit with members of Congress this morning.
Dawn Johnsen (Indiana University)
Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said the health care summit, which several members of the panel attended, was an “extraordinary circumstance.” Traditionally, panel members can only ask to hold over a nominee once.
Johnsen, who has been on the panel’s agenda since Jan. 28, was held over the first time at the request of panel Republicans. The committee was then forced to hold her over twice more because the panel lost its quorum and its ability to conduct business.
Panel Republicans have voiced concerns about Johnsen’s vocal opposition to the President George W. Bush’s national security policies and her past work for an abortion rights group.
“Next week we will complete action on Dawn Johnsen,” Leahy said.
[...] Today, consideration of the Dawn Johnsen nomination to lead the critical Office of Legal Counsel at the DOJ was delayed and put off, yet again, for the fourth time. From Main Justice: [...]