[Torie]

I don't know when the process supposedly ended, but I do know the Barbara Boxer put a hold on Congressman Cox's nomination to the appellate court, and that was that. Maybe that was before Leahy became allegedly kinder and gentler.

[justshe]

That's a scary thought....a kinder, gentler Leahy. Sort of reminds me of the 'friendly Uncle'......ewwwww!

BTW....I did a google search to find that Leahy comment...so SOME of us aren't lazy. (Can you see my halo shining?)

Do you have ANY idea how hard it is to find ANYTHING definitive on the hold process for nominees? Even findlaw was a bust. Either that, or I am just an inadequate 'searcher'.....lol.

[deport]

We have ended the era of secret holds.

Secret Holds have ended according to the following article but a hold can still be placed by a Senator but not in secret or that is what I read into the situation.

Secret holds are a thing of the past - Mar. 15, 1999

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., have agreed to require senators who unilaterally delay Senate action to identify themselves. Individual senators will still be able to stop any bill or nomination in its tracks, but not to dodge accountability by remaining anonymous.