The Senate took action on three Bush administration nominees on Wednesday, confirming two to their posts and advancing the other for a full vote.

Condoleezza Rice was confirmed as secretary of state by a vote of 85 to 13. The 12 Democrats and one independent who voted against her said she shares the blame for faulty intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq.

In a separate action, the Senate by a voice vote confirmed Mike Leavitt as secretary of health and human services. Leavitt is the former governor of Utah and former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Also, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 along party lines to advance Alberto R. Gonzales as attorney general.

Get the Story:
Rice Is Confirmed Amid Criticism (The Washington Post 1/27)
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Rice Is Sworn In as Secretary After Senate Vote of 85 to 13 (The New York Times 1/27)
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Senate Panel Approves Gonzales on a Party-Line Vote (The New York Times 1/27)

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