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Graham Delivers Opening Statement at Hearing on Attorney General Nominee William Barr

Barr “is worthy of the job” - Graham

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today delivered opening remarks at the hearing to consider the nomination of William Barr to serve as the Attorney General of the United States.

  • GRAHAM: “[Mr Barr], you’ve lived a life that I think has been honorable and noteworthy and accomplished.  I want to thank you for being willing to take this task on. We’ve got a lot of problems at the Department of Justice. I think morale is low and we need to change that.” https://youtu.be/raTCdzwGWiU?t=324
  •  GRAHAM: “As to the hopes and dreams for this committee – to get as much done as possible and to fight when we have to over things that matter to the public.  Show two different views of an issue that’s important, but do it as respectfully as possible.” https://youtu.be/raTCdzwGWiU?t=54
  •  GRAHAM: “The bottom line is we’re starting off with something that would be good for the country. We have a vacancy for the attorney general spot. We have a chance to fill that vacancy… When you look at what [Mr. Barr] has done in his life, it’s incredible. So I want to thank the President for nominating somebody who is worthy of the job, who will understand on day one what the job is about, and can right the ship over there.” https://youtu.be/raTCdzwGWiU?t=211
  • GRAHAM: “…a little bit about the nominee. He’s been attorney general before, from 1991 to 1993, by voice vote. Those were the days. Deputy Attorney General from 1990 to 1991, unanimous consent, without a recorded vote. Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, [unanimous consent]. That’s pretty amazing.” https://youtu.be/raTCdzwGWiU?t=264

 

 Click to watch Graham's opening statement