William Barr: Eminently Qualified, Widely Respected
‘So it is the nation’s good fortune that the president has selected such a completely qualified and thoroughly prepared leader to fill this vacancy.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the president’s nominee for Attorney General of the United States, William Barr:
“Today, our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee will begin nomination hearings for Mr. William Barr, the distinguished public servant President Trump has asked to serve as the nation’s next Attorney General. Certainly no one needs me to explain all the reasons this is a vital position. The Department of Justice is charged with duties such as protecting Americans’ civil rights, defending the public order to which citizens are entitled, and upholding the time-honored tradition that the United States of America is a nation governed by law.
“So it is the nation’s good fortune that the president has selected such a completely qualified and thoroughly prepared leader to fill this vacancy. First and foremost, of course, is the fact that Mr. Barr has served in the position before. As Attorney General under President Bush in the early 1990s, he fulfilled his oath and led the Department of Justice with honor and skill. He was widely regarded as a capable administrator and as a strong, independent, and principled advocate for fairness and for following the law.
“His tenure confirmed the great confidence that Republican and Democratic Senators had all placed in Mr. Barr when they confirmed him to that position unanimously. Democrats controlled the Senate in 1991. But because of Bill Barr’s obvious credentials and unquestioned reputation, that Senate confirmed him by a voice vote. Amid the proceedings, our distinguished colleague Senator Leahy expressed confidence Mr. Barr would be – quote – ‘an independent voice for all Americans.’ Then-Senator Joe Biden, then Chairman of the Judiciary Committee put it this way at the time – quote – he’s ‘a heck of an honorable guy.’
“Twenty-eight years ago, leading Democrats were practically heading up the Bill Barr fan club. And his subsequent service proved they’d made the right call. In fact, this nominee has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times. Before serving as Attorney General, he worked as an Assistant Attorney General and a Deputy Attorney General. In no case did even a single Senator identify a good reason to oppose his confirmation. So it’s beyond safe to say that Mr. Barr is eminently qualified and widely respected. I look forward to Mr. Barr’s testimony today, and to the testimony of those who know him and his work. I hope every Senator will afford Mr. Barr the fair consideration he so obviously deserves.”
Related Issues: Law Enforcement, Nominations
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