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Klobuchar Supports Eric Holder for Attorney General during Judiciary Committee Hearing

Cites Holder's knowledge of the issues, background as a prosecutor and commitment to putting the law before politics as reasons for support

January 28, 2009

Washington, D.C. – During a Judiciary Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar voted to approve Eric Holder as Attorney General of the United States.  Klobuchar cited Holder’s knowledge of the issues, background as a prosecutor, support from law enforcement officials and commitment to the bread and butter work of the Justice Department as reasons for her support. Holder’s nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 17 to 2 and now his nomination moves to the full U.S. Senate for confirmation.

“I am proud to support Eric Holder for Attorney General.  His background is as a prosecutor in the field, but just as importantly he is a sound, solid, competent manager who is guided by justice,” said Klobuchar. “I know the importance of having an Attorney General who puts the law – not politics – at the helm of the department.  I believe that Eric Holder can steer the Justice Department and get it back on course.”

Prior to her election to the Senate, Klobuchar served for eight years as the Hennepin County Attorney.  During the hearing, Klobuchar noted that as a prosecutor she used Holder’s work with community prosecution when he was a U.S. Attorney as a model for a similar initiative in Hennepin County, Minnesota. 

Klobuchar also noted that Holder understands the unique challenges facing our country in the 21st century.

“At a key time in our nation’s history, where we deal with terrorist acts not contemplated in simpler times, cyber battlefields, and sophisticated crimes from market manipulation to financial fraud, Eric Holder has a clear command of the legal issues confronting our country,” said Klobuchar.

Klobuchar also praised Holder for his willingness to admit mistakes and asked her colleagues to judge Holder by looking at his record as a whole.

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