Gonzales, Bodman approved by Senate panel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Separate Senate panels Wednesday approved Sam Bodman as Energy Secretary and Alberto Gonzales to be Attorney General of the United States.

A divided Senate Judiciary Committee approved Gonzales' nomination, rejecting complaints from Democrats about his role in developing Bush administration torture policies as White House counsel.

Critics charge those policies lead to the torture of detainees.

The 10-8 party line vote signals that while Gonzales will still likely win approval from the entire Senate, Democrats are sure to demand a lengthy floor debate, akin to the one completed Wednesday on the newly approved Secretary of State designate Condoleeza Rice, to air their grievances.

Cabot was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The outgoing deputy treasury secretary's nomination has proven to be less divisive in the Senate, despite his support for oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a contentious issue in the body.

The former chairman of the Cabot Corp., a specialty chemicals company, as well as Commerce Department official in Bush's first term, he succeeds Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham in the post.

He also faces certain approval by the entire Senate.