Rice gets nod from Senate panel

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Condoleezza Rice's nomination as secretary of state easily cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a 16-2 vote yesterday but Democrats stepped in to delay confirmation by the full Senate, which had been expected today.

On the eve of President Bush's second inauguration, Democratic Sens. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia and Barbara Boxer of California moved to postpone the vote, possibly until next week.

Mr. Byrd said he and other Democrats will demand more time to review the transcript of Miss Rice's testimony.

"Rushing the nomination through the Senate would undermine the constitutional responsibility that the framers placed on senators," Mr. Byrd's office said.

A spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said the Democrats would not try to block Miss Rice's confirmation, and he predicted the vote would come Wednesday.

Sen. George Allen, Virginia Republican, called the move "absurd, petty obstructionism" and said it sets the wrong tone for the beginning of a new administration.

He and other Republicans, however, said they have little choice but to acquiesce.

"Obviously, it's their right," said Amy Call, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican.

But she questioned the decision, noting that outgoing Secretary of State Colin L. Powell was confirmed unanimously on the day of President Bush's first inauguration four years ago.

In 1997, Madeleine K. Albright's nomination as President Clinton's secretary of state was approved by the Foreign Relations Committee on Inauguration Day, then confirmed 99-0 two days later by the full Senate.