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[Pages S1148-S1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NOMINATION OF WILLIAM BARR
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held
a vote on William Barr to be the next Attorney General of the United
States.
During his confirmation hearing a few weeks ago, we saw an
articulate, measured, and highly capable individual. There is no
question in my mind why two separate Presidents have selected him to
lead the Department of Justice.
Throughout his impressive career, Mr. Barr has displayed both legal
acumen and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law--a basic
prerequisite to serve as the highest law enforcement officer in the
country.
I will add that the Attorney General is a unique member of the
Cabinet because, as I said, he is the chief law enforcement officer of
the country, but he is also a political appointee of the President. It
takes some skill to navigate that very thin line and to do it with
distinction and honor--something that Mr. Barr has done before.
President George Herbert Walker Bush recognized the talent in Mr.
Barr more than 25 years ago and nominated him for not one, not two, but
three important roles in the Department of Justice.
Mr. Barr testified before the Judiciary Committee for each of these
positions: Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel,
Deputy Attorney General, and, finally, Attorney General of the United
States. All three times, he was unanimously approved by the Senate.
As impressive as Mr. Barr was during these confirmation hearings, he
was even more impressive once he was actually on the job. It is clear
he made a lasting impression on his colleagues at the Department of
Justice.
A group of 120 former Justice Department and law enforcement
officials have written a letter to the chairman and ranking member of
the Judiciary Committee supporting Mr. Barr's nomination. The list
includes former Attorneys General and Deputy Attorneys General, FBI
Directors and Deputy Directors, a Department of Homeland Security
Secretary, and a host of high-ranking DOJ officials.
They wrote: ``Bill is that rare combination of intellect and
principle who has served our country in the Department of Justice with
great distinction and then excelled as a senior executive in the
private sector.''
They continued: ``Bill also developed great partnerships with state
and local law enforcement around the country through the Department's
Executive Working Group, creating joint task forces to combat white
collar crime, drug trafficking and violent crime across the nation.''
Knowing that, it is no surprise he received the endorsement of
several organizations that represent law enforcement, like the
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs
Association, the Fraternal
[[Page S1149]]
Order of Police, the Major County Sheriffs of America, and the National
Narcotics Officers' Associations' Coalition, as well as others.
I quote our friend, the ranking member Dianne Feinstein herself, who
said: ``No one can say he isn't qualified.''
We are fortunate to have such an individual who is willing to, once
again, step back into the spotlight to serve his country. To me, that
speaks volumes.
It would be the easiest thing in the world for Mr. Barr to say: Well,
I have been there and done that. Now I have worked in the private
sector, been a success, and I am ready to hang it up or at least enjoy
my retirement years with my grandkids and my wife.
That is not Bill Barr. Bill Barr is a person driven by his sense of
duty and his desire to serve the American people. To me, that is one of
the distinctions about him that impresses me the most.
It would be easy for him to take a walk and to not accept this
responsibility during these polarized times, but he is willing to
serve, and I think we ought to embrace that willingness to serve and
confirm him.
I was proud to support Mr. Barr's nomination in the Judiciary
Committee today, and I look forward to voting yes on his nomination
next week when we vote on it.
Although Mr. Barr's name has been in the headlines, there are also a
number of well-qualified nominees for Federal judgeships across the
United States who were reported out of the Judiciary Committee today,
including four Texans. They are J. Campbell Barker and Michael Truncale
to be U.S. district judges for the Eastern District of Texas, Matthew
Kacsmaryk to be U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Texas,
and David Morales to be U.S. district judge for the Southern District
of Texas. These individuals are principled and highly qualified for the
Federal bench.
Senator Cruz and I worked closely with our Federal Judicial
Evaluation Committee--a bipartisan committee of the best lawyers in the
State of Texas--to screen these individuals and then make
recommendations to the White House. I am confident in their ability to
serve Texans by faithfully applying the law, and I hope the Senate will
move quickly to confirm them.
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