[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 10 (Thursday, February 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONFIRMATION OF ALBERTO GONZALES

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for the affirmative 
vote in support of Judge Gonzales to be the next Attorney General of 
the United States. The final vote of 60 to 36 reflects a degree of 
bipartisanship.
  Judge Gonzales takes on this heavy mantle of responsibility as 
Attorney General of the United States being very well qualified to do 
so. He has worked as White House Counsel, as we all know, for 4 years, 
and has worked closely with many, if not most, of the Senators who have 
had judicial nominations which have come to him. I put into the Record 
many laudatory, complimentary statements which were made about Judge 
Gonzales for his work as White House Counsel.
  Regrettably, the incidents at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo--particularly 
at Abu Ghraib--are a major blemish. At Guantanamo the problem is still 
under investigation. Those incidents, realistically viewed, were not 
the responsibility of Judge Gonzales. His role was a limited one. It is 
up to the Department of Justice to provide legal opinions as to the 
scope of appropriate conduct, up to the experts in the Department of 
Defense, the CIA to formulate the questions. But 60 votes is good, 
sound support for Judge Gonzales. I am pleased to see his confirmation 
has been approved by the Senate. We have consented to the President's 
nomination.
  In my capacity as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I look forward 
to working with Attorney General Gonzales.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 15 
minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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