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Gonzales faces no confidence vote Republicans block Bush ally vote
(20 minutes later)
US senators are preparing to hold a vote of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Republicans in the US Senate have blocked a vote of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Democrats have been trying to force Mr Gonzales to resign over the sacking of eight federal prosecutors last year.Democrats have been trying to force Mr Gonzales to resign over the sacking of eight federal prosecutors last year.
He is backed by President George W Bush however, who dismissed the vote as "political" and said he would determine whether Mr Gonzales was effective.He is backed by President George W Bush however, who dismissed the vote as "political" and said he would determine whether Mr Gonzales was effective.
Correspondents say that if the symbolic vote is passed, it will represent a serious blow to the administration. Republicans said the non-binding vote was a "waste of time" and Democrats failed to gain enough support.
However, it is thought that Republicans in the Senate will block the non-binding vote despite many having joined the Democrats in their criticism of Mr Gonzales. The resolution would have needed the support of 60 senators to take it to a final vote.
The resolution would need the support of 60 senators to take it to a final vote. The Democrats have a majority of 51, including two independents who usually vote with them. But the Democrats could only muster 53 votes in favour, seven short of the total required.
Senators have begun debating the resolution, which states that the attorney general "no longer holds the confidence of the Senate and of the American people". The resolution stated that the attorney general "no longer holds the confidence of the Senate and of the American people".
Domestic issuesDomestic issues
The row stems from accusations that Mr Gonzales concealed from Congress a political motivation behind the sacking of the federal prosecutors.The row stems from accusations that Mr Gonzales concealed from Congress a political motivation behind the sacking of the federal prosecutors.
Democratic Senator Charles Schumer reminded senators that calls for Mr Gonzales's resignation had come from senators in both parties.Democratic Senator Charles Schumer reminded senators that calls for Mr Gonzales's resignation had come from senators in both parties.
They can try to have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going to determine who serves in my government President George W BushThey can try to have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going to determine who serves in my government President George W Bush
"If all senators who have actually lost confidence in Attorney General Gonzales voted their conscience, this vote would be unanimous," he said."If all senators who have actually lost confidence in Attorney General Gonzales voted their conscience, this vote would be unanimous," he said.
Senator Arlen Specter, the most senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was concerned that the vote was a political manoeuvre by the Democrats - but nonetheless, he had no confidence in Mr Gonzales.Senator Arlen Specter, the most senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was concerned that the vote was a political manoeuvre by the Democrats - but nonetheless, he had no confidence in Mr Gonzales.
At a news conference in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, Mr Bush said Mr Gonzales had committed "no wrongdoing". At a news conference earlier in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, Mr Bush said Mr Gonzales had committed "no wrongdoing".
"They can try to have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going to determine who serves in my government," Mr Bush said.
The BBC's correspondent in Sofia says US reporters following Mr Bush focused on entirely domestic issues - a sign that the president's brief respite from his political troubles at home is now over.The BBC's correspondent in Sofia says US reporters following Mr Bush focused on entirely domestic issues - a sign that the president's brief respite from his political troubles at home is now over.
The no-confidence vote comes in the wake of the White House decision to choose a new chairman of the joint chiefs of staff in order to avoid a row with Congress. The no confidence vote came in the wake of the White House decision to choose a new chairman of the joint chiefs of staff in order to avoid a row with Congress.
Last week, the Bush administration decided that General Peter Pace would be given such a rough ride in his Senate hearings that it was not worth the effort involved in having his contract renewed.Last week, the Bush administration decided that General Peter Pace would be given such a rough ride in his Senate hearings that it was not worth the effort involved in having his contract renewed.
The White House has also lost an important vote on its main domestic programme - immigration reform.The White House has also lost an important vote on its main domestic programme - immigration reform.