WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Barack Obama's presidential transition, already disrupted by the sudden withdrawal of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, may face another challenge in the confirmation hearings of his pick for attorney general. Eric Holder likely will face a grueling round of questions from Republicans during his confirmation hearings. While the Senate is expected to easily confirm the majority of the president-elect's Cabinet appointments, it increasingly appears that attorney general designate Eric Holder could face a grueling round of questions next week from Senate Republicans who are already emboldened by charges of "pay-to-play" politics against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and a federal investigation into Richardson, who Obama picked as his commerce secretary.
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Confirmation hearings for attorney general-designate Eric Holder begin next week
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Republicans criticize Holder for his role in Clinton pardon of Marc Rich in 2001
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GOP unlikely to block Holder from becoming Obama's attorney general
Clinton pardoned @placeholder in the final hours of his administration on January 20, 2001.