Hillary Clinton on Hill for Confirmation

Hillary Clinton's foreign policy views and her husband's business dealings provide food for questioning during her confirmation hearing as secretary of State.

Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for the top U.S. diplomatic post, was scheduled to testify Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who admits he wanted the State post, The Washington Post reported.

"It's hard to sort of sit here as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, with my independence and freedom I have to get engaged on almost any issue on foreign policy, and be worried about disappointment," Kerry said. "I have my freedom and I have my independence, and there are some assets to being there (at State), there are some great assets to being here."

Kerry said he expects Clinton to face some tough questioning from committee members, with one likely subject her husband's business dealings, but said he expected the atmosphere to remain deferential and serious.

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., the ranking GOP member, said he wanted "pin down the arrangements" of how she and husband Bill Clinton will avoid conflict of interest with his speech-making and charity work abroad, but doesn't see any reason for Hillary Clinton not to be confirmed, USA Today reported. Bill Clinton agreed to disclose his foundation donors and seek pre-approval from the State Department for certain paid speeches.

"Eight years in the Senate, eight years as first lady, she's had a lot of international experience," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a committee member who said he sees no reason not to confirm her quickly.

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