Democrats objected to the vote, saying Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, rushed the confirmation vote before they could finish an investigation into Pryor's fund-raising activities for a GOP attorneys general group. Hatch overruled the objection and forced the vote.
"We have had a shabby injection of [un]seemly ads relative to religion, we have an unfinished investigation raising serious ethical questions, and as icing on the cake, we're going to strong-arm a vote out of this committee," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. "This is a perfect send-off for this nominee."
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and one of the moderate Republicans on the committee, voted for Pryor but warned that Senate confirmation was not assured. "This issue is far from over," said Specter, who would not promise to vote for Pryor on the Senate floor.
Spector's contact information:
711 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-1229
Email: arlen_specter@specter.senate.gov