Harold Koh confirmed as State Dept. legal counsel
Harold Koh, Dean of Yale Law School, has finally been confirmed as Legal Adviser to the State Department after months of controversy surrounding his nomination.
The Senate confirmed Koh by a vote of 62-35 this afternoon.
Republicans have warned that Koh would give too much weight to international law. Democrats responded that as State Department legal adviser, Koh would certainly consider international law but would adhere to the constitution.
John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, quickly released a statement praising Koh.
“Dean Koh is one of the foremost legal scholars in the country and a man of the highest intellect, integrity, and character,” Kerry said. “He is exactly the type of Legal Adviser we need at the State Department, and I thank my colleagues for supporting his nomination.”
Meanwhile, see Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) floor speech opposing Koh for a quick summary of the conservative case against the nomination.
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