John Barrasso: Lame-Duck Vote on New AG Would 'Poison the Well'

Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso says the Senate should wait until after its new members take office in January before voting on confirmation of a successor to outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder.

That would make it tougher for Obama to pick a replacement like Holder, whom Republicans such as Barrasso accuse of being a "partisan protector" of President Barack Obama. If, as expected, Republicans gain majority status in the Senate in November's midterm elections they could press for a more moderate replacement to the controversial Holder.

"I do oppose any vote on a successor during the lame-duck session," Barrasso said on "Fox News Sunday." "If it does happen it will be the first time since the Civil War that we've had a vote on an attorney general in a lame-duck when parties switched."

Obama has yet to nominate a replacement, but Barrasso said talk of a lame-duck vote shows the "desperation" of Democrats, fearful of losing their majority.

"And if this happens, this will be [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid's final act in a tragic play," he said.

Republicans have been critical of Reid, accusing him of running the Senate like his own fiefdom, largely refusing to bring their bills or amendments up for consideration.

Whoever the next attorney general is, Barrasso said, "We need an attorney general for the people, not a presidential protector and puppet of the administration."

And if Democrats do try to vote in a successor during the lame-duck session it will "poison the well" and will define what will be seen from Obama's last two years in office, he said.

Barrasso does want to see Congress take quick action on something else, though: authorization for Obama to act against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Congress is out of session until after the election, but Barrasso would like to see them come back to vote on authorization, as the British Parliament recently did.

"I don't think Harry Reid wants this debate or the vote," Barrasso said. Red state Democrats fear a vote to arm Syrian rebels could further weaken their re-election hopes.

"I think we have the obligation," Barrasso said. "No member of Congress should be left off the hook."

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