[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 24 (Thursday, February 7, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1148-S1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NOMINATION OF WILLIAM BARR

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held 
a vote on William Barr to be the next Attorney General of the United 
States.
  During his confirmation hearing a few weeks ago, we saw an 
articulate, measured, and highly capable individual. There is no 
question in my mind why two separate Presidents have selected him to 
lead the Department of Justice.
  Throughout his impressive career, Mr. Barr has displayed both legal 
acumen and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law--a basic 
prerequisite to serve as the highest law enforcement officer in the 
country.
  I will add that the Attorney General is a unique member of the 
Cabinet because, as I said, he is the chief law enforcement officer of 
the country, but he is also a political appointee of the President. It 
takes some skill to navigate that very thin line and to do it with 
distinction and honor--something that Mr. Barr has done before.
  President George Herbert Walker Bush recognized the talent in Mr. 
Barr more than 25 years ago and nominated him for not one, not two, but 
three important roles in the Department of Justice.
  Mr. Barr testified before the Judiciary Committee for each of these 
positions: Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel, 
Deputy Attorney General, and, finally, Attorney General of the United 
States. All three times, he was unanimously approved by the Senate.
  As impressive as Mr. Barr was during these confirmation hearings, he 
was even more impressive once he was actually on the job. It is clear 
he made a lasting impression on his colleagues at the Department of 
Justice.
  A group of 120 former Justice Department and law enforcement 
officials have written a letter to the chairman and ranking member of 
the Judiciary Committee supporting Mr. Barr's nomination. The list 
includes former Attorneys General and Deputy Attorneys General, FBI 
Directors and Deputy Directors, a Department of Homeland Security 
Secretary, and a host of high-ranking DOJ officials.
  They wrote: ``Bill is that rare combination of intellect and 
principle who has served our country in the Department of Justice with 
great distinction and then excelled as a senior executive in the 
private sector.''
  They continued: ``Bill also developed great partnerships with state 
and local law enforcement around the country through the Department's 
Executive Working Group, creating joint task forces to combat white 
collar crime, drug trafficking and violent crime across the nation.''
  Knowing that, it is no surprise he received the endorsement of 
several organizations that represent law enforcement, like the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs 
Association, the Fraternal

[[Page S1149]]

Order of Police, the Major County Sheriffs of America, and the National 
Narcotics Officers' Associations' Coalition, as well as others.
  I quote our friend, the ranking member Dianne Feinstein herself, who 
said: ``No one can say he isn't qualified.''
  We are fortunate to have such an individual who is willing to, once 
again, step back into the spotlight to serve his country. To me, that 
speaks volumes.
  It would be the easiest thing in the world for Mr. Barr to say: Well, 
I have been there and done that. Now I have worked in the private 
sector, been a success, and I am ready to hang it up or at least enjoy 
my retirement years with my grandkids and my wife.
  That is not Bill Barr. Bill Barr is a person driven by his sense of 
duty and his desire to serve the American people. To me, that is one of 
the distinctions about him that impresses me the most.
  It would be easy for him to take a walk and to not accept this 
responsibility during these polarized times, but he is willing to 
serve, and I think we ought to embrace that willingness to serve and 
confirm him.
  I was proud to support Mr. Barr's nomination in the Judiciary 
Committee today, and I look forward to voting yes on his nomination 
next week when we vote on it.
  Although Mr. Barr's name has been in the headlines, there are also a 
number of well-qualified nominees for Federal judgeships across the 
United States who were reported out of the Judiciary Committee today, 
including four Texans. They are J. Campbell Barker and Michael Truncale 
to be U.S. district judges for the Eastern District of Texas, Matthew 
Kacsmaryk to be U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Texas, 
and David Morales to be U.S. district judge for the Southern District 
of Texas. These individuals are principled and highly qualified for the 
Federal bench.
  Senator Cruz and I worked closely with our Federal Judicial 
Evaluation Committee--a bipartisan committee of the best lawyers in the 
State of Texas--to screen these individuals and then make 
recommendations to the White House. I am confident in their ability to 
serve Texans by faithfully applying the law, and I hope the Senate will 
move quickly to confirm them.

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