Republicans are pressing for the president not to appoint a replacement for Attorney General Eric Holder during the current session of Congress, despite the White House's signal that it intends to fill the post swiftly following the announcement of his resignation Thursday.
According to
The Hill, conservative lawmakers say any nominee would be under intense scrutiny after years of battles with the Justice Department on a range of issues.
"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," Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told the Hill.
Grassley voted for Holder's confirmation in 2009 but said his tenure was "strained by his lack of respect for Congress, the American taxpayer, and the laws on the books."
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also made clear his opposition to an appointment before November.
"Allowing Democratic senators, many of whom will likely have just been defeated at the polls, to confirm Holder's successor would be an abuse of power that should not be countenanced,” Cruz said, according to the Hill.
Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee chairman, however, insisted a quick appointment process is the best way forward, and discouraged Republicans from holding up the process.
"I hope that they would be able to decide on a nomination soon, definitely we should have confirmation hearings as quickly as possible in the Senate," he said, according to the Hill.
"I would hope that nobody would try to block an up or down vote on the chief law enforcement officer of the country," he added. "It would be the height of irresponsibility."
White House press secretary John Earnest said Thursday that the Obama administration is already considering candidates and the process of selection is a "high priority."
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