Senate Republican Once Again Blocks Durbin’s Attempt to Confirm U.S. Attorney Nominations on the Senate Floor

Press Release

“I rise today to speak about the critical role that U.S. Attorneys play in keeping America safe from the scourge of drugs—like opioids, fentanyl—gun violence, and violent crime. Why are we on the floor? We’re on the floor because one Senator has decided to stop the appointment of the United States Attorneys for the Department of Justice across the United States. The Senator from Ohio has decided he’s upset with the Department of Justice. How upset is he? Here’s what he said. ‘I will hold all Department of Justice nominations.’ Listen to this. ‘We will grind the Justice Department to a halt.’… Don’t stand up and say you’re for law and order, you’re for law enforcement, and then turn around and stop the appointment of U.S. Attorneys who prosecute the criminals who are responsible for the narcotic sales.

Rebecca Lutzko… [nominated to be] U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio… So you have a vacancy in the U.S. Attorney’s office. The Senator from Ohio approves the person to fill the vacancy and then stops her nomination on the floor of the United States Senate. I can’t follow his logic unless you’re determined to ‘grind the Department of Justice to a halt,’ even at the expense of the people you represent, the people you were sent here to protect. Don’t tell me you’re for law and order in your own neighborhood when you stop the nomination of a U.S. Attorney with no controversy. It makes no sense.

U.S. Attorneys are an integral part of our justice system. Overseeing important operations that help protect our communities. They’re empowered to prosecute all federal criminal offenses. They play a critical role in enforcing the law.”

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