[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Sean J. Cooksey

  Mr. HAWLEY. Mr. President, in a few moments, we are going to be 
voting on a series of nominations to the Federal Election Commission, 
one of which is of personal interest to me. It is the nomination of 
Sean Cooksey to be a Commissioner of that body.
  I know Sean personally because I have had the great privilege of 
working with Sean for the last 2 years while he has served as the 
general counsel in my office. Sean is a native Missourian. He comes 
from the eastern part of the State, just north of St. Louis. He is a 
proud graduate of Truman State University in the State of Missouri. He 
comes from a working family there in the State, and his family still 
lives there.
  Sean has rendered exceptional service to me this last year and a 
half. In fact, when I came to the Senate not even 2 years ago, I have 
to say Sean had more experience than I did, having served in this body 
for several years before in the office--on the staff of Senator Ted 
Cruz of Texas.
  Sean has done absolutely outstanding work in the last year and a half 
in my office helping us pass important legislation, including my first 
bill signed into law in the Senate, the Supporting and Treating 
Officers in Crisis Act. This is a law that will direct new funding to 
police officers and other law enforcement all across the State of 
Missouri and across the Nation to get the help and support they need 
when they are exposed to violence, when they are exposed to situations 
that require followup help, counseling. It gets them the resources 
especially in small and local police departments in rural areas, like 
those across my State. Sean was instrumental in drafting this 
legislation and in getting it passed. It was a proud day almost a year 
and a half ago when President Trump signed that bill into law.
  This is just one example of the outstanding service Sean has rendered 
not just to my office but to the people of Missouri and not just to the 
people of Missouri but to the people of the United States. That is why, 
while I am sorry to see Sean go on a personal level, I am absolutely 
delighted for the country because my loss is going to be the gain of 
the United States of America.
  I want to congratulate Sean on this nomination and what I think will 
soon be his confirmation in just a few moment's time.
  I want to congratulate his family. I know this is a very proud day 
for them. I believe Sean will be the youngest member of the Federal 
Election Commission, maybe in the history of this body. I can't think 
of anyone more deserving. I know that he will render distinguished 
service to the country in this capacity.
  I yield the floor.