Senate confirms Chertoff to head Homeland Security
Despite brief delay in scheduling of vote, nomineee is approved unanimously, 98-0.
The Senate Tuesday unanimously approved, by a 98-0 vote, the nomination of federal judge Michael Chertoff to serve as the country's second Homeland Security secretary.
A vote on Chertoff had been delayed last week over a dispute between Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and the Bush administration about contentious memorandums on the administration's torture policies.
Levin was demanding an uncensored version of FBI e-mails about the issue, but the administration rejected his request.
Despite the squabble, Levin voted for Chertoff.
Also Tuesday, the House Homeland Security Committee announced its Republican subcommittee chairmen for the 109th Congress.
Rep. Peter King of New York will be the chairman of the Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology Subcommittee.
Rep. Dan Lungren of California will head the Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity Subcommittee.
The chairmanship of the Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee went to Rep. Rob Simmons of Connecticut.
Rep. John Linder of Georgia will head the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack Subcommittee.
Finally, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama will chair the panel's Management, Integration and Oversight Subcommittee.