"And the nomination of Mr. Koh appears to be the beginning of a verytroubling pattern, " Lamborn told me, citing Justice Department nominees Dawn Johnsen ( assistant attorney general for legal counsel) and David Ogden (deputy attorney general) as cases of high-level Obama appointees who have histories of praising international law over U.S.-made law.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: House 'Sovereignty Caucus' Aimed at Koh

The officials, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Environment John Turner and State Department Legal Counsel William Taft IV, didn't know what to say.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Senators hear how LOST will cripple national security