The office of Sen. Patrick Leahy confirmed to WND the Vermont Democrat has given Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., permission to investigate the prosecution and sentencing of Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos.

As WND reported, Feinstein, who said she believes the sentences were "extreme," postponed the hearings, originally scheduled for Feb. 27.

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Leahy's office told WND Feinstein has the authority to schedule hearings on the case whenever she chooses. Feinstein is chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security.

The California senator's office confirmed to WND an investigation into the border agents' prosecution and sentencing is under way, but no hearing dates have been scheduled.

As WND reported, the Bush administration has drawn strong criticism from Republican congressmen angry about its handling of a case in which two border agents were given 11- and 12-year sentences after granting a drug smuggler immunity to testify against them.

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Previous stories:

Senate hearings on Ramos-Compean postponed

Smuggler's 2nd drug case confirmed by accomplice

Ramos attorney calls for mistrial

Smuggler's 2nd delivery of marijuana confirmed

Congressman: Probe Mexico's role in prosecutions

Mexico demanded U.S. prosecute sheriff, agents

Discrepancies in case against Border Patrol unresolved

Compean reports reading half of Bible already

How cozy was Border Patrol with smuggler?

Border Patrol agents fired for changing testimonies

Drug smuggler left cell phone in van

Border-agent investigator had tie to smuggler

Author of DHS border-agent report lied to Congress

Officials urged to resign for lie about border agents

Government admits lying about jailed border agents

Imprisoned border agent did report shooting

Imprisoned border agent beaten by fellow inmates

Prosecutor had evidence against drug smuggler

Poe seeks 'public' documents on border agents

Prosecutor accused of hiding smuggler's 2nd drug bust

Homeland Security memos contradict U.S. attorney

Uproar over border agents to get White House review

Feds 'knew smuggler' in Border Patrol case

Ballistics data don't support charge against border agents

Funds set up for Border Patrol agents

Congressman: Feds stonewalling on border agents

Border agent's wife at State of the Union

Revolt builds as Republicans seek to toss border agents' convictions

Border Patrol agent held in solitary confinement

Imprisoned agent's wife: President is a hypocrite

Border agents' prosecutor responds to critics

Border agents sent to prison

Border agents plead for 'Christmas pardon'

White House clarifies 'nonsensical' comment'

12 congressmen demand pardon for border agents

Snow says question on agents' prison time 'nonsensical'

Border Patrol agents sentenced to prison

Cross-border firefight shocks U.S. lawmen

National Guard units to be armed, close to the border

Gang expert backs Tancredo charge

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Chertoff downplays Mexican military incursions

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Another armed incursion on U.S.-Mexico border

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Border Patrol warned: Brace for violence

Feds to border agents: Assassins targeting you

Armed standoff on Rio Grande

Border sheriff warns: We're overwhelmed

Mexican drug commandos expand ops in 6 U.S. states

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