[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 103 (Monday, June 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Madam President, on one final matter, late last 
week, the Democratic leader and the Democratic whip gave in to the urge 
to pick at the scab of politically motivated investigations that have 
become their party's favorite weapon against the previous 
administration. They indicated that they were prepared to compel two 
former Attorneys General to testify before the Judiciary Committee on 
efforts to trace leaks of sensitive national security information.
  In case anyone had forgotten, our colleagues are among the same 
Democrats who spent years demanding repeated investigations of a 
Republican President while turning a blind eye to the clear abuses of 
power that infected the investigation of his campaign. So any outrage 
from Democrats that alleged criminal leaks within their own ranks 
rightly drew the attention of Federal investigators rings completely 
hollow.
  It is particularly disappointing that our colleagues have taken to 
attacking former Attorney General Bill Barr over investigative 
decisions that predated--predated--his time at the Department of 
Justice. Let me say that again. It is particularly disappointing that 
our colleagues have taken to attacking former Attorney General Bill 
Barr over investigative decisions that occurred when he wasn't there 
yet. Attorney General Barr served our Nation with honor and with 
integrity. These latest attempts to tarnish his name bear the telltale 
signs of a witch hunt in the making.
  Here are the facts: The Department of Justice is empowered to 
investigate criminal conduct by Members of Congress and their staff. 
Necessarily, this sort of investigation is subject to strict procedural 
protections, and the Department's inspector general is fully equipped 
to determine whether these procedures were followed in this case. So I 
am confident that the existing inquiry will uncover the truth. There is 
no need for a partisan circus here in the Congress.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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