Senate Republicans today said they will fight Democratic plans to hold a vote of no-confidence in Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, signaled his intent to oppose the move by Sen. Chuck Schumer, when the New York Democrat introduces the measure in mid-June.

"I'm sure that [Senate Majority Leader Harry] Reid and I will be discussing after we get back just how much they want to have that vote and what kind of vote they would have to give us in order to get that and how much floor time that it would take up to achieve all of that," Mr. McConnell said.

Mr. McConnell's spokesman, Don Stewart, was more blunt.

"If they want to do a political stunt on the floor, we’re not going to stand aside and let them do it," Mr. Stewart told me.

"This resolution does not have the force of law. It’s purely political. It’s offered by the head of the Democratic senatorial campaign committee," Mr. Stewart said. "We can’t find a single instance where the Senate has held a no-confidence vote. This isn’t the Parliament."

-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times