|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
No one is above the law. We must uphold the Constitution and protect our civil liberties while simultaneously fulfilling our solemn obligation to protect the American people. Paramount to this is a Justice Department (DOJ) and Judiciary that uphold the rule of law and serve the American people rather than merely the White House. |
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I regret that while the Senate has worked to approve an overwhelming majority of the President's judicial nominations and DOJ appointments, the President has not consistently worked with home state Senators to nominate qualified, consensus candidates. This has contributed to long-term vacancies that cripple the courts and the Department of Justice.
I also have...
- Opposed the inclusion of full retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies in the extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); and co-sponsored the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act to prevent and mitigate identity theft.
- Opposed the nomination of Attorney General Michael Mukasey for his failure to denounce the practice of water boarding - a method of torture that is against U.S. and international law but apparently used in the past by the CIA with the President's consent.
- Chaired the confirmation hearing for the Director of the DOJ's Community Relations Service. I have been disappointed in the Department's lack of attention to what has become an epidemic of hate crimes occurring nationwide.
- Co-sponsor of the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, all of which codify protections for entire communities of Americans who face discrimination under current law.
|
 |
|
|
