Full Senate vote on Holder scheduled for Monday
Majority leader rejects a request for an earlier vote in order to maintain good relations.
A Senate vote on confirming Eric Holder to be attorney general will be held around 5 p.m. Monday, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Wednesday, despite a push by Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy to hold the vote Thursday or Friday.
Noting that any senator can force a debate on Holder that would take days, Reid said he did not want to rush a vote that might upset good relations engendered by the open amendment process Reid has allowed on recent bills.
"I understand how my friend from Vermont feels, [but] I have to say that we should accept yes for an answer," Reid said. "We're working pretty well here. Everyone seems to be getting along well."
Also Wednesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved retired Adm. Dennis Blair as the national intelligence director, and the Senate confirmed his appointment by unanimous consent.