LUCAS LOSES BID FOR POST AT JUSTICE DEPT.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has killed William Lucas's nomination to be the nation's top civil-rights enforcer. The committee first voted 7-7 on a motion to approve the nomination. On an identical vote, the panel then rejected a Republican move to send the nomination to the floor without recommendation.

Many civil rights groups opposed Lucas, saying he was not a strong enough advocate for affirmative-action and other traditional civil rights concerns.