[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO NICHOLAS MAYORKAS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, it has been 3 weeks since a mob of 
domestic terrorists stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to thwart our 
democratic system of government. In the weeks since, the underlying 
threat of violence to our government remains of great concern.
  One of the most important responsibilities of the new 
administration--of any administration--is to protect our country and 
its citizens. The Senate must continue the process of confirming 
President Biden's Cabinet by installing Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as 
Secretary of Homeland Security. In truth, we should have been able to 
confirm Mr. Mayorkas days ago. He is supremely well qualified for the 
job. He is the son of immigrants whose family escaped from the 
Holocaust, a prosecutor, a veteran of 7 years who led the Agency's 
response on Ebola, cyber security, border security, counterterrorism, 
and domestic terrorism.
  Just 4 years ago, President Trump had his Secretary of Homeland 
Security installed on Inauguration Day. As four previous Secretaries of 
Homeland Security under Presidents of both parties wrote recently: 
After the attacks on the Capitol on January 6, it is more urgent than 
ever to have in place an experienced, capable, and Senate-confirmed 
leader. That person is Mayorkas.
  That was four previous Homeland Secretaries from both parties.
  Unfortunately, because of the objections of one Member, the Senate 
has not been allowed to vote on this nomination yet. It is the Senate's 
responsibility to make sure national security officials are on the job 
and keeping our country safe.
  My friends on the other side don't have to agree with Mr. Mayorkas on 
the finer points of every policy, but surely we can all agree that he 
knows the Department, he understands the threats to our Nation's 
security, and he has what it takes to lead DHS. The Senate must confirm 
his nomination in very short order, and we will make sure that happens.
  We must continue on to the rest of the President's Cabinet as well. 
The President's nominee for Secretary of Transportation was voted out 
of committee this morning on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, 21 to 
3. With cooperation, the Senate can and should confirm Mr. Buttigieg 
soon, as well.

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