Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has scheduled the confirmation hearing for Deputy Attorney General nominee David Ogden for Feb. 5, renewing Leahy’s effort to install a new leadership quickly at the Department of Justice.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on Ogden’s expected boss, Attorney General nominee Eric Holder Jr., on Monday, three days before Ogden’s hearing would begin.
“The time for partisanship is over. We must move forward and confirm the Justice Department’s leadership team without delay,” Leahy said in a statement.
Ogden, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, held several top Justice Department jobs during the Clinton administration. He was head of the Civil Division from 1999 to 2001 and previously was chief of staff to then-Attorney General Janet Reno and as counselor to Reno.
“Mr. Holder will need his Deputy, Associate, and Assistant Attorneys General in place as soon as possible,” Leahy said. “I expect to consult with the Ranking Member [Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)] to accommodate Republican scheduling requests and to move forward with further confirmation hearings for Justice Department nominees.”
Ogden's nomination was announced Jan. 5.
The Judiciary Committee has posted Ogden’s questionnaire and several letters supporting his nomination, including one from Wilmer colleague and former Solicitor General Seth Waxman.
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