Senate Republicans delay vote on attorney general

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans on Wednesday delayed a confirmation vote on attorney general nominee Eric Holder, some demanding assurances he would not prosecute U.S. agents for torture if they thought their methods were in compliance with the law.

"I want some assurance that we aren't going to be engaged in any witch-hunts," said Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

Cornyn and other Republicans said prosecutions would be unfair to agents who thought they were operating according to law and could discourage future collection of intelligence.

With questions about torture and other matters, Republicans invoked their right to delay for one week the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on Holder, who had already been expected to endure one of the rockier confirmation processes in President Barack Obama's new cabinet.

Holder still appears virtually certain to eventually win confirmation by the full Senate.

But Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the panel's ranking Republican, said members of his party on the panel wanted more time to examine the nominee.

Holder is a former judge and prosecutor who served as deputy attorney general in former President Bill Clinton's administration.

Democrats voiced support for the nominee who would be the first black U.S. attorney general.