WH hints at replacing Holder in lame duck

The White House hintedFridaythat it hoped to hold a vote on a replacement for Attorney General Eric Holder during the lame-duck session of Congress later this year.

It is "worth looking at some of the recent occasions in which Congress has considered nominees in this context,"said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. He did not have any update on the timing for the president's announcement.

"So there is a precedent for presidents making important Cabinet nominations and counting on Congress to confirm them promptly, even in the context of a lame-duck session, if necessary," Earnest said.

Earnest also noted that former President George W. Bush's Attorney General Michael Mukasey was confirmed within seven weeks of his nomination.

"So there is a pretty clear precedent for attorneys general and for other prominent Cabinet officials to go through the process of being nominated and confirmed quickly and with bipartisan support," Earnest said.

A number of Republican lawmakers have warned the president against trying to force Holder's replacement through in the lame-duck session. But if Democrats lose control of the Senate, the administration and leadership would have anincentiveto move the nomination through before Republicans take control.

"Rather than rush a nominee through the Senate in a lame-duck session, I hope the president will now take his time to nominate a qualified individual who can start fresh relationships with Congress so that we can solve the problems facing our country, said Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Earnest offered little insight into the vetting process, other than saying the candidate "will have the kinds of skills and credentials that will merit a prompt and bipartisan confirmation vote."

Holder announced on Thursday his intent to step down after a replacement is found.

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WH hints at replacing Holder in lame duck