Republicans are opposing President Barack Obama's pick to head the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency over her support for Obama's executive actions on immigration.
Sarah Saldana, now the U.S. attorney in Dallas, would likely be confirmed by the Democratic Senate majority anyway if her nomination is voted on before the end of the year, when Republicans will regain control. She cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 10 to 8 vote Wednesday.
Saldana claimed strong support among Republicans when she was nominated earlier in the year, including from Texas' senior senator, John Cornyn.
But Obama's move to lift the threat of deportation for millions here illegally changed that. Saldana told senators she believed Obama acted within his authority, and Cornyn announced Wednesday he could no longer support her.
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