Clinton hearing next week

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton is set to return to a Senate hearing room next week for hearings on her confirmation.

Besides Clinton, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday also will consider the nomination of Susan Rice as President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, incoming Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., said Wednesday in a news release.

"When President-Elect (Barack) Obama announced his nominations of Senator Clinton and Susan Rice for the positions of secretary of state and representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, I said he's chosen an extremely talented team to help rebuild our alliances and advance our agenda in the world," Kerry said.

Both women would bring expertise and intellect to their posts, Kerry said.

"I look forward to working with my distinguished colleague, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking minority member (Sen.) Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), to ensure a fair and expeditious confirmation process for these two accomplished nominees," Kerry said.