[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Nomination of David Huitema
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise in support of David Huitema's
nomination to be the Director of the Office of Government Ethics. This
Office leads and oversees the executive branch ethics program on behalf
of the American people and is at work in over 140 Agencies.
At the core of their mission, they work to prevent financial
conflicts of interest to help ensure government decisions are made
independent of personal financial benefit. By interpreting ethics laws
and regulations, supporting and training executive branch ethics
officials, and monitoring financial disclosures, the Office of
Government Ethics ensures Agencies and their employees comply with
important and timely ethics requirements.
With his extensive experience in ethics and financial disclosure, Mr.
Huitema is uniquely qualified to lead this critical Office. His
previous roles at the State Department and in private practice have
equipped him with the knowledge and skills needed to uphold the highest
standards of public service.
Mr. Huitema's legal background also includes advising on internet and
international telecommunications issues, Presidential permits for
transboundary pipelines, policy toward Cuba, and Foreign Service
personnel issues.
He joined the Office of the Legal Adviser in 2006, after several
years in private practice and a clerkship on the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the 11th Circuit.
Mr. Huitema holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, an M.A. from the
University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Throughout multiple Congresses and administrations of both parties,
Mr. Huitema has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the
American people with nonpartisan integrity and the highest ethical
standards. During the confirmation process, Mr. Huitema demonstrated a
deep understanding of the Office of Government Ethics' critical role,
and he is prepared to lead the Agency forward.
I urge my colleagues to join me in confirming Mr. Huitema to this
important role today.
I yield the floor.