[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 174 (Tuesday, October 21, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S7695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NOMINATION OF WILLIAM W. MERCER

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of my 
friend Mr. Bill Mercer and his nomination to serve as the next judge 
for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
  President Trump made an excellent choice when he picked Bill. I was 
thrilled to see him quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, 
and now, today, the U.S. Senate will vote in the next hour or so on his 
final confirmation. And I urge my colleagues to join Senator Sheehy and 
I in supporting his nomination.
  Bill is a lifelong Montanan. He was born in Billings. We have known 
each other for a long time; in fact, we went to rival high schools, and 
we actually competed against each other in speech and debate. He was a 
Billings West Golden Bear, and I was a Bozeman Hawk. This is what makes 
America great. Two kids from Montana dreamed big, they worked hard, and 
now we have the opportunity to serve the State we love together.
  Bill received his undergraduate degree from the University of 
Montana. He later went on to receive a master of public administration 
from Harvard and his law degree from George Mason University. Bill 
served his State and country in various roles over the past three 
decades. In Montana, he served as U.S. attorney for the District of 
Montana from 2001 to 2009. He represented Billings in the Montana House 
of Representatives for the past 7 years. Bill also worked at the U.S. 
Department of Justice where he served as Principal Associate Deputy 
Attorney General and Acting Associate Attorney General during the 
George W. Bush administration.
  He has been actively engaged in his community, serving in five 
nonprofit boards of directors in Montana.
  Bill has been a member of the Montana Bar for 32 years. He has 
appeared at State and Federal court in Montana and as lead counsel in 
numerous cases.
  He has represented clients in appellate courts, which resulted in 
oral arguments in 15 cases in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
Circuit, the DC Circuit, and the Montana Supreme Court.
  Bill has been recognized by his peers in the legal community for 
outstanding track records, being rated among the best lawyers in 
Montana for environmental and commercial litigation.
  Throughout his extensive legal career and years of public service, 
Bill has represented Montana's interests very well. He is committed to 
the rule of law and the original interpretation of the Constitution.
  He understands Montana's laws and issues. His experience as a widely 
respected and effective member of the Montana House has helped him 
understand the needs of our State, our families, and our communities.
  I believe his time serving in Helena has given him an important 
perspective on the law and the importance of judicial impartiality. 
Federal judges play a critical role in our government. It is important 
that we pick servant leaders who are committed to our Founding ideals 
and to protecting the role of the judiciary.
  These are lifetime appointments. He will have a lasting impact on 
both Montana and the Nation.
  I have no hesitation when I say Bill is the top choice to serve as 
Montana's next Federal judge. I have seen his commitment to our State 
firsthand, and his time at the Department of Justice, as U.S. attorney, 
and as a State legislator prepared him well. There is not a better pick 
to serve the State of Montana.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting favorably for Bill's 
confirmation.
  I look forward to seeing the profound influence Bill will have in 
Montana and the Nation as he steps into this new role.
  Thank you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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