[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1566-S1567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          SAFEGUARD AMERICAN VOTER ELIGIBILITY ACT--Continued

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.


                      Nomination of Colin McDonald

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today, we are voting on Colin 
McDonald. He is nominated to serve as Assistant Attorney General, the 
Assistant Attorney General over the Justice Department's National Fraud 
Enforcement Division.
  Historically, the President and the Attorney General have organized 
the Justice Department to address the pressing needs that face our 
Nation, and I commend President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for 
doing so now--right now--to address the ongoing crisis of Federal 
program fraud.
  You think about the ongoing crisis of Federal program fraud--think 
Minnesota; think Medicaid fraud.
  Republicans and Democrats can and should agree that fighting fraud, 
particularly fraud on the American taxpayer, is important work, and 
that is true now more than ever.
  The Judiciary Committee held multiple hearings on recent fraud in 
Minnesota. Since then, other fraud schemes have been identified around 
the country. These shocking fraud schemes target Federal programs that 
were designed to help people with autism, to help the elderly, and to 
help small businesses. However, the victims

[[Page S1567]]

of Federal program fraud are not just the intended recipients of 
program funding; the American taxpayers, who entrusted us in the 
government with their hard-earned money, are victims as well.
  The Trump nominee, Mr. McDonald, understands this, and he will fight 
all fraud against all victims. In his hearing, this is what Mr. 
McDonald committed to: ``prosecute criminals who exploit the generosity 
of our country by stealing from taxpayer-funded programs. Every dollar 
stolen is a dollar that didn't put bread on the table, that didn't 
reach the hospital bed, that didn't meet the needs identified by 
Congress. Fraudsters should never be allowed to rip off the United 
States of America.''
  I agree with Mr. McDonald.
  What happened in Minnesota and around the country is unacceptable, 
and we, as elected officials, need to support the Justice Department in 
stopping this fraud. Confirming Mr. McDonald today as head of the 
National Fraud Enforcement Division is the very critical first step.
  Mr. McDonald is the right person to lead this effort. He spent his 
entire career in public service as an assistant U.S. attorney in the 
Southern District of California. As a prosecutor, Mr. McDonald handled 
an array of criminal offenses, and he specialized in investigating and 
prosecuting fraud, money laundering, unlawful transactions, and tax 
crimes. He has tirelessly worked to protect the rights of victims. He 
has never shied away from hard cases; he runs toward those hard cases. 
At every turn, he has advocated with candor and the highest ethical 
standards. In doing so, he gained the respect of his colleagues, his 
opposing counsel, and even the judges he appeared before.
  I believe the American people will be in good hands with Mr. McDonald 
working on their side, and I encourage my colleagues to support this 
nomination.
  I yield the floor.

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