[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    NOMINATION OF RAYMOND C.FISHER TO BE ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I remain frustrated by the Republican 
leadership's unwillingness to consider and approve the President's 
nomination of Ray Fisher to the third-highest ranking position at the 
U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Fisher has been stalled on the Senate 
Calendar for a month since being reported unanimously by the Judiciary 
Committee on October 9.
  Ray Fisher is an outstanding lawyer and public servant. His record is 
exemplary.
  Is this another example of a secret hold? There has been no 
explanation of justification for this delay and lack of action.
  I recall when the Senate Republican leadership delayed the vote on 
the nomination of Eric Holder to the Deputy Attorney General position 
that we were told there were Senators with problems. I also remember 
that when I insisted on a rollcall vote on that nomination, after it 
had been stalled on the Senate Calendar for more than 3 weeks, the 
problems had all been resolved and the Senate confirmed Mr. Holder 
unanimously. One hundred Senators voted for that nomination.
  I urge the Republican leadership to allow the Senate to confirm Ray 
Fisher to be Associate Attorney General of the United States.

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