Gonzales censure defeated.

Washington D.C.

Senate Republicans this week blocked a symbolic vote of “no confidence” aimed at embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Invoking Senate rules, Republicans refused to end debate on the measure, and Democrats fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to override them. Few Republicans defended Gonzales, who is under fire for his handling of the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys. Instead, they condemned Democrats for wasting timing on what Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called a “meaningless” resolution. President Bush said that even if the measure had passed, Gonzales’ position would have been secure.