By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Condoleezza Rice's nomination to be secretary of state Wednesday. The vote was 16-to-two. Democratic Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer voted against the nomination, expressing concerns over the Bush administration's Iraq policies. The full Senate was expected to vote to confirm Rice Thursday after President Bush's second inauguration. But Senate Democrats say they intend to delay Rice's confirmation at least until next week. They are not planning to try to block it. A spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says several Democrats just want to be able to discuss her nomination.