[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 13, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S323-S324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NOMINATION OF ERIC HOLDER

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I am honored to serve on the Judiciary 
Committee in this body. The last couple of years have been very 
difficult years in how the Department of Justice has been managed. We 
have seen abuses of civil liberties in the name of trying to protect 
the rights of our citizens when we have abused the rights of our 
citizens; we found the Department of Justice tried to justify the use 
of torture in this country; the manner in which detainees were treated; 
the politicizing of the Department of Justice--I could go on and on.
  I thank Eric Holder for being willing to serve the public once again 
as President-elect Obama's nominee for the office of Attorney General 
of the United States. I think Eric Holder is the right person at the 
right time for the Department of Justice, and I hope his confirmation 
process will move forward.

  We need an independent Attorney General. During the Bush 
administration, we found that they politicized the Department of 
Justice in the firing of U.S. attorneys and in decisions as to

[[Page S324]]

whether to proceed with criminal investigations. The list goes on and 
on. Eric Holder has demonstrated throughout his entire career the type 
of independence we need in the next Attorney General of the United 
States.
  Let me give you one example. When the Independent Counsel who was 
investigating the President of the United States asked for additional 
authority, Eric Holder was the one who made that recommendation to 
proceed even though it was not popular at all with the President of the 
United States. It is that type of independence that we need in the next 
Attorney General of the United States. He brings broad experience as 
former judge, former U.S. attorney, and from the private sector.
  We need to take politics out of the Department of Justice. During the 
Bush administration, we found that politics was very much interwoven 
into the personnel decisions made within the Department of Justice 
affecting career attorneys. That was not permitted, but it was done. We 
need the next Attorney General to be one who will make sure politics 
has no place in those types of personnel decisions.
  Again, Eric Holder's career has shown his willingness to carry out 
his responsibilities in a nonpolitical way. He has handled major public 
corruption cases as a U.S. attorney against both Democrats and 
Republicans. He understands the responsibilities of the Department of 
Justice.
  We need our next Attorney General to reestablish the premier role of 
the Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division. The Civil 
Rights Division historically has been the key agency to protect the 
civil rights of the people of this Nation. We need the next Attorney 
General to reestablish that in the Department of Justice. Once again, 
Eric Holder has demonstrated that sensitivity that will restore the 
role of the Department of Justice in protecting the voting rights of 
all Americans.
  The list goes on and on and on. Bottom line, the next Attorney 
General must restore the reputation of the Department of Justice. I 
believe he is the right person, but it is not only me. Let me read from 
some of the record that has been presented to the Judiciary Committee.
  Both law enforcement and civil rights groups support Eric Holder. The 
Fraternal Order of Police writes that:

       Our members reported that they found Judge Holder and U.S. 
     Attorney Holder an able and aggressive prosecutor.

  The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, which is a group of our 
major civil rights advocates in this country said:

       Mr. Holder's various experience as a trial attorney, judge, 
     prosecutor and lawyer in private practice make him uniquely 
     qualified to run the Department of Justice. It would be 
     difficult to find a candidate more experienced in the 
     Department or better suited to lead it. His background will 
     render him ready to lead the Department from day one. His 
     even-mindedness and sound judgment will ensure that justice 
     is dispensed fairly and equitably. His professional 
     accomplishments and ability to put partisan politics aside 
     make him above reproach. His commitment to the rule of law 
     makes him the ideal candidate for the nation's top 
     prosecutor.

  Now, that is the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, which, again, 
is comprised of the premier groups in this country that are out there 
fighting for the rights of the people of this country.
  I would also draw my colleagues' attention to a January 7, 2009, 
letter received by the Judiciary Committee from several former high-
level Department of Justice officials in the Republican administration. 
They write:

       We are pleased to be able to write in support of Eric 
     Holder, a man who stands with the most qualified who have 
     been privileged to be nominated to be Attorney General of the 
     United States. President-elect Obama's nomination of Eric as 
     the historic appointment of the first African-American 
     Attorney General should be hailed as a milestone. He is an 
     extraordinary lawyer and an even better person.

  We need to move forward immediately in the leadership in the 
Department of Justice. I would urge my colleagues, let us move forward 
on the confirmation process as quickly as possible. I look forward to 
Eric Holder being the next Attorney General of the United States. I 
hope we will do that very shortly.
  I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Whitehouse.) The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida is recognized.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator will suspend for one moment.

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