Barr nomination for AG heads to full Senate

Washington — William P. Barr is on track to be confirmed as the next attorney general next week.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., moved to limit debate and cut off any filibuster threats against the Barr nomination Thursday, setting up votes as soon as the Senate finishes work on a bipartisan package of public lands bills.

The vote to limit debate on the lands bill is scheduled for Monday evening, meaning Barr’s final confirmation should come no later than Thursday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Barr nomination earlier Thursday, as Republicans touted his qualifications and Democrats voiced concerns about how he would handle the special counsel investigation.

The 12-10, party-line committee vote sends the nomination to the full Senate. McConnell, who sets the floor schedule, tweeted Thursday that Barr “has the experience and is eminently qualified” and he expects he will be confirmed next week.

Barr appears to have enough support from Republicans, which have a 53-47 advantage in the chamber, to run the Justice Department. He would replace acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker as the nation’s top law enforcement official, who has been in the spot since Jeff Sessions was forced to resign in November.

Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said before the vote that he begged Barr to get back into public service because he has the kind of experience the country needs at this time. “I think we need a steady hand at the Department of Justice, and I believe he has that steady hand,” Graham said.

Barr, who ran the Justice Department from 1991 to 1993 during the George Bush administration, answered questions during his confirmation hearing last month that indicated he would bring a conservative approach to immigration, law enforcement and civil rights enforcement.