US Senate: a vote on John R. Bolton is discussed

Having resolved a bitter impasse over judges, the Senate plunged into another contentious issue yesterday involving filibuster rights and President Bush`s conservative appointees: the nomination of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2005/05/12/59707.html ' target=_blank>John R. Bolton to be United Nations ambassador.

Bolton, a forceful and outspoken State Department undersecretary, is scheduled for an early evening vote today that will either clear the path for his confirmation or extend the debate into June. Supporters said they will have enough votes to confirm him eventually, but first they must deal with Democrats` anger at the Bush administration`s refusal to release documents dealing with Bolton's work history.

The battle over Bolton largely disappeared in recent weeks while the judicial nominees issue consumed the Senate. It reemerged yesterday with most Democrats still strongly opposing him, but with Bolton in stronger shape for two reasons: The hiatus slowed his critics' momentum and helped his backers regroup; and Democrats, having battled ferociously to preserve the right to filibuster judicial nominees, show no desire to pick a new fight by launching a full-blown filibuster over Bolton, reports the Washington Post.