[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Brian Miller

  Madam President, the second hearing this morning is in the Senate 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on Brian Miller to be 
the Special Inspector General of the pandemic relief efforts. Having an 
independent, experienced, and strong IG to oversee the administration's 
use of taxpayer funds in this pandemic is critically important. Under 
President Trump, who has been firing IGs left and right simply because 
they tell the truth and who believes that he is accountable to no one, 
selecting a truly independent watchdog is essential and urgent.
  As someone who currently works directly for President Trump as a 
member of his White House Counsel's Office, Mr. Miller's independence 
from the President is very much in doubt. We need a strong, tough IG. 
Billions of dollars are being spent. We don't want someone who has in 
his mind: I have to please the President. Mr. Miller needs to explain 
why the Senate should confirm him to a position that requires genuine 
independence. In particular, he must answer specific questions from the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs about his role in the 
White House Counsel's Office and what issues he has worked on. It is 
not acceptable to hide behind vague assertions that he can't answer 
those questions. It is too important. The burden on Miller is to 
demonstrate that he can be a truly strong and independent inspector 
general.