Clinton confirmation hearing set

Senator John F. Kerry's office announced today that the Foreign Relations Committee will hold the confirmation hearing next Tuesday for Hillary Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama's pick for secretary of state.

Clinton is expected to be confirmed without any serious hurdles to the post, which Kerry himself coveted.

Instead, he is about to embark on his first major overseas visit as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee -- to southwest Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are near the top of the challenges facing the new administration. Kerry is going on the trip with Vice President-elect Joe Biden, the committee's past chairman.

UPDATE: Kerry's office just announced that because of scheduled votes, he will no longer go on the congressional trip.

Kerry also announced that the hearing will be next Thursday for Susan Rice, Obama's selection for ambassador to the United Nations.

“When President-Elect 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 in a statement. “My friend and colleague Hillary Clinton will bring her years of experience and acute intellect to her position as America’s top diplomat. Susan Rice’s expertise in foreign policy and commitment to strong alliances will be invaluable as she helps the President-Elect restore America’s rightful role in the international arena. I look forward to working with my distinguished colleague, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking minority member Richard Lugar, to ensure a fair and expeditious confirmation process for these two accomplished nominees.”