Do federal prosecutors require Congressional approval?

Question

This is not a political bashing question. Simply, do federal prosecutors require a Senate or Congressional approval process? And if any are removed by the Executive branch mid-term, does this short-circuit the system...in other words: does Congressn have the opportunity to approve of mid-term?replacements?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070501/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gonzales_prosecutors

Answer 1

Normally, the Senate confirms US attorneys nominated by the executive. However, due to a provision in the PATRIOT Act, the executive doesn't need to seek Senate approval if the US attorney is removed mid-term. Before the PATRIOT Act, the interim US attorney could serve for 120 days before a replacement was needed. The PATRIOT Act allows the interim to serve indefinitely without Senate oversight.

The Senate has voted to overturn that provision. It hasn't passed the House yet as far as I know.