[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO NICHOLAS MAYORKAS

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise in support of Alejandro Mayorkas's 
nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
  As recent events have shown, our country is facing dangerous threats 
to our security and to our national security. Violence and domestic 
terrorism, spurred on by White supremacist ideology, anti-government 
sentiment, and conspiracy theories, continue to rise. We saw the tragic 
and deadly result of that growing threat right here in the Capitol just 
3 weeks ago, and just yesterday the Department of Homeland Security 
issued a counterterrorism bulletin, warning of possible further 
violence in the coming weeks.
  Earlier this year, we learned that hackers--likely backed by a 
foreign adversary--carried out the largest cyber security breach of our 
Federal Government. We still do not have all of the answers on how they 
were able to infiltrate our networks or what information they have 
access to.
  All this is happening while we are struggling to control a once-in-a-
century pandemic that has, tragically, taken over 425,000 American 
lives so far.
  The Department of Homeland Security should be leading a forceful 
response to these complex and significant threats and protecting 
Americans, but the Department and its more than 240,000 employees need 
a qualified, experienced, and Senate-confirmed leader at the helm--a 
leader like Alejandro Mayorkas.
  Mr. Mayorkas has built an extensive national security record 
throughout his career in public service. He has been confirmed by the 
Senate three times, including twice for senior roles at the Department 
of Homeland Security. Not only did he help lead the Obama 
administration's successful responses to the Ebola and Zika epidemics, 
he also played a critical role in protecting the homeland from foreign 
and domestic terrorism, strengthened our national cyber security, and 
increased cooperation between the Federal Government and local law 
enforcement agencies.
  Not only does he stand ready to lead the Department as it tackles 
serious and challenging national security threats, Mr. Mayorkas also 
understands that the Department and its mission have a real effect on 
people and their families. His own family's journey to the United 
States--first fleeing Nazi occupation in Eastern Europe and later 
immigrating to the United States from Cuba--has given him a unique 
perspective on the very heart of the Department's mission--something 
that was certainly lost during the previous administration. Mr. 
Mayorkas is uniquely qualified to make sure the Department of Homeland 
Security is working to protect people from all backgrounds, all 
communities, and all walks of life.
  Mr. Mayorkas has the qualifications, the experience, and the record 
of accomplishments to provide steady leadership, to help restore trust 
in the Department, and to safeguard our national security. That is why 
it is no surprise that his nomination has been endorsed by four former 
Homeland Security Secretaries and a former Acting Secretary from both 
Democratic and Republican administrations. He also has the support of a 
group of more than 30 cyber security experts, 34 former Homeland 
Security officials, and multiple law enforcement organizations, 
including the Fraternal Order of Police.
  Within this body, there are certainly very different views of the 
role of the Federal Government, but one thing I think we can all agree 
on as a top priority is keeping Americans safe. It is our No. 1 job, 
and that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me today in 
supporting the confirmation of Mr. Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland 
Security so that he can quickly begin the important and essential task 
of working to strengthen our national security and safeguarding all 
Americans.
  I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote begin immediately.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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