Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues to Support Vanita Gupta's Nomination to be Associate Attorney General at DOJ

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke in support of Vanita Gupta’s nomination to be U.S. Associate Attorney General, the number three position in the Justice Department.  In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin addressed a few of the false attacks that are being leveled against Gupta, including right-wing claims that she supports defunding the police.  Nothing could be further from the truth—Gupta does not support defunding the police and has instead spent much of her career advocating for greater resources for law enforcement, such as body worn cameras and officer wellness and safety programs.

During her nomination hearing last week, Gupta said that if confirmed, she would continue to listen to the voices of law enforcement and advocate for resources they need to keep our communities safe and maintain the trust of the communities that they serve.  Durbin also noted that Gupta has the support of numerous law enforcement groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and others.

“She [Gupta] unequivocally stated in her testimony under oath before the Judiciary Committee last week that she opposes defunding the police.  Any suggestion to the contrary is patently false,” Durbin said.  “She has broad bipartisan support across the nation, law enforcement, Justice Department officials in both parties, civil rights groups, even some of the most conservative Republican advocates—they back Ms. Gupta.  She deserves that same bipartisan support here in the Senate.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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