Democrats delayed votes on two of President Bush's most controversial nominees on Wednesday while a third had his second confirmation hearing.

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed consideration of Alberto R. Gonzales' nomination as attorney general. Democrats said he hasn't answered all of their queries about the Bush administration's treatment of terrorist detainees. Gonzales, as White House counsel, authored memos that appeared to suggest torture was legal.

Separately, he Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Condoleezza Rice's nomination as secretary of state by a 16-2 vote, with Sens. Barbara Boxer of California and John Kerry of Massachusetts voting against her. But Democrats delayed a full Senate vote for another week.

Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Michael O. Leavitt, former Utah governor, as secretary of health and human services. Questions centered on plans for the Medicaid program, which Leavitt called "inefficient." Leavitt would oversee the Indian Health Service once confirmed.

Get the Story:
Senate Panel Delays Vote on Gonzales (The New York Times 1/20)
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Democrats Delay Final Approval of Rice for State Dept. (The New York Times 1/20)
Rice Is Closer to Final Vote Of Senate (The Washington Post 1/20)
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Leavitt Won't Rule Out Medicaid Budget Cuts (The Washington Post 1/20)
Boxer Is Loudest Voice of Opposition to Rice Nomination (The New York Times 1/20)

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