[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NOMINATION OF RONALD H. WEICH TO BE AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

  Mr. REID. I now ask that the Senate proceed to Calendar No. 65.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The nomination will be stated.
  The assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Ronald H. 
Weich, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Attorney 
General.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate considers another of 
President Obama's highly-qualified nominees for an important post in 
the executive branch. Earlier today, the Judiciary Committee reported 
favorably the nomination of Ron Weich to be Assistant Attorney General 
for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice. I 
had hoped that we could expedite this nomination before the recess so 
that Mr. Weich could begin doing his job for the American people, but 
lack of cooperation from the Republican side prevented us from 
confirming the nomination then. I am pleased that with cooperation 
today, we will confirm Mr. Weich.
  In more than a decade on Capitol Hill, Ron Weich has advised three 
Senators: Senator Specter, Senator Kennedy, and now Majority Leader 
Reid, who introduced Mr. Weich at his hearing 3 weeks ago and strongly 
recommended his confirmation.
  At his hearing, I put into the record a letter from Senator Kennedy 
describing Mr. Weich as a ``lawyer of exceptional intelligence, skill, 
and sound judgment'' and praising his ``remarkable ability . . . to 
work extremely well with Members and staff on both sides of the aisle 
and to guide us toward creative solutions to seemingly intractable 
problems.'' Many of Mr. Weich's former Republican colleagues wrote to 
this committee to attest to the fact that he is highly regarded among 
both Republican and Democratic staff, and they spoke of his ``respect 
for opposing views'' and his ``constructive approach to difficult legal 
issues.'' They described him as ``honorable and trustworthy.'' And of 
course, Mr. Weich is equally well-respected outside of this chamber. A 
letter from the Fraternal Order of Police highlights his ``long and 
sterling career as a public safety policymaker'' and notes that he is 
``a passionate champion for justice.''
  In addition, Mr. Weich has a distinguished record of public service 
as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, and as a special 
counsel to the United States Sentencing Commission. He is an 
experienced Senate hand who has earned the respect of Senators on both 
sides of the aisle. We know him well as a former member of the staff of 
the Judiciary Committee. I am confident he will be a welcome addition 
to the leadership at the Justice Department, and will make the 
Department more responsive to congressional concerns than we have seen 
over the last several years.
  I congratulate Mr. Weich and his family on his confirmation today and 
look forward to working with him in his new capacity at the Justice 
Department.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question 
is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Ronald H. 
Weich, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Attorney 
General?
  The nomination was confirmed.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to 
reconsider be laid on the table and there be no further motions in 
order; that any statements relating to this nomination be printed in 
the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's 
action; and the Senate then resume legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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