A U.S. Senate committee says it will hold hearings next week on the renomination of John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
President Bush appointed Bolton to the post on an interim basis last year during a congressional recess. Democrats and one Republican, George Voinovich of Ohio, blocked a vote on his nomination. They cited concerns about his past criticisms of the U.N., and his alleged mistreatment of subordinates while serving in the State Department during Mr. Bush's first term.
Now Voinovich has changed his mind about Bolton, saying he has demonstrated an ability to form a consensus with other nations at the world body.
Republican leaders say they hope to quickly confirm Bolton for the post on a permanent basis. Bolton's appointment expires later this year.
The top Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee is demanding the White House turn over documents related to the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program that were given to Bolton.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.