The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing today on Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General.

Gonzales, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, has served as White House counsel to President Bush since January 2001. He has been criticized for his role in shaping the war on terror, including legal memorandums appearing to justify torture of terror suspects.

If confirmed, Gonzales would be the first Hispanic to head the Department of Justice. He would replace John Ashcroft, who is resigning.

The hearing starts at 9:30 am today. A live hearing link can be found at http://judiciary.senate.gov.

Get the Story:
Gonzales Opening Statement (AP 1/6)
Gonzales's Clemency Memos Criticized (The Washington Post 1/6)
pwpwd
Bush Nominee Plans to Stand Firm on War-Captive Memo (The New York Times 1/6)
pwnyt

Related Stories:
Bush picks Leavitt for Health and Human Services (12/14)
Bush makes big Cabinet shuffle for second term (12/14)
Norton to stay at Interior for second term (12/10)
Treasury Secretary Snow to stay in Bush Cabinet (12/9)
Griles departs from Interior after rocky tenure (12/8)
Thompson resigns from Health and Human Services (12/6)
Griles blames controversies on Bush opponents (12/8)
Bush taps ex-NYPD official for Homeland Security (12/3)
Ridge resigns as Homeland Security Secretary (12/1)
Bush taps Kellogg executive as Commerce Secretary (11/30)
Bush nominates another White House adviser (11/18)
Bush to nominate Rice as Secretary of State (11/16)
Powell among four Cabinet departures pending (11/15)
Hispanic lawyer tapped as attorney general (11/11)
Hispanic lawyer likely successor to Ashcroft (11/10)