3 Michigan nominees face tough questions from U.S. senators despite deal with Bush administration.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday closely questioned the qualifications, driving record and tax-payment history of a Michigan judge nominated to the federal court of appeals that hears cases for Michigan and other Midwestern states.
Republican Sens. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Sam Brownback of Kansas asked for a closed-door session to be held after the tense committee meeting.
The dramatic step — rare for all but U.S. Supreme Court nominees to go over classified FBI background reports — signaled potential trouble for a deal worked out last month between Michigan’s senators and the Bush White House to clear the way for three Michigan judicial nominees. One of the nominations dates back to the Clinton era . . .