GOP blocks Gonzales no-confidence vote

Several Republicans cross over, but not enough to bring the measure to the floor.

Published June 11, 2007 10:19PM (EDT)

Although Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said earlier today that there is "no confidence in the attorney general on this side of the aisle," Senate Republicans largely held together this afternoon in blocking an up-or-down vote on a resolution expressing the Senate's lack of confidence Alberto Gonzales.

Senate Democrats needed 60 votes to prevail on a cloture motion and bring the no-confidence resolution to the Senate floor. In the end, they got 53. Republicans voting with the Democrats: Specter, John Sununu, Gordon Smith, Norm Coleman, Chuck Hagel, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Among the senators voting no: Connecticut independent Joe Lieberman.


By Tim Grieve

Tim Grieve is a senior writer and the author of Salon's War Room blog.

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