Washington, DC - On Sunday, March 18, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), will appear on CBS’s “Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer” to discuss recent developments about the Administration’s firing of at least 8 U.S. Attorneys without cause, as well as any other breaking news on Iraq and the war on terror.

Senator Feinstein is a member of the Senate Judiciary and Select Intelligence Committees, and chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security.

Date:         Sunday, March 18, 2007

Time:         Approximately 10:45 EDT

Network:     CBS

Senator Feinstein will appear on the program following an interview with Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Background

On Monday, March 19, the Senate will begin consideration of a measure sponsored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to ensure Senate confirmation of U.S. Attorneys (S.214). There will be 6 hours of debate on Monday and Tuesday, evenly split. Votes are scheduled to begin no later than 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20.

The U.S. Attorneys Bill (S.214)

Under a provision inserted without notice into the USA Patriot Act reauthorization last year, the law was changed so that if a vacancy arises, the Attorney General may appoint a replacement for an indefinite period of time – thus completely avoiding the Senate confirmation process.

Senator Feinstein introduced legislation to restore the process in place before 2006.  It would allow the Attorney General to appoint interim U.S. Attorney for 120 days.  If after that time the President has not sent up a nominee to the Senate and had that nominee confirmed, then the authority to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney would fall to the district court.  This was the law from 1986 to 2006.

The legislation was approved in the Judiciary Committee last month by a vote of 13-6.