James Cole/law firm

WASHINGTON — Deputy Attorney General nominee James Cole cleared a major hurdle Tuesday and got the nod from the Senate Judiciary Committee, the website Main Justice reported. The vote now goes before the full Senate.

The website reported that the vote was 12-7, along party lines.

Main Justice reported that GOP members had expressed concern about Cole’s support of terrorism trials in civilian court and his tenure as an independent monitor for insurance giant AIG, which was rescued by a Federal Reserve bail out.

“I’m concerned about Mr. Cole’s ability because in his position as Deputy Attorney General, he would be in a position to influence future compliance monitors appointed under settlements between Justice Department, [Securities and Exchange Commission] and other corporations that have violated the law,” said Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), according to Main Justice.