For Immediate Release
(202) 224-5653
KOHL QUESTIONS ATTORNEY GENERAL DESIGNEE HOLDER DURING SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING
Senator's Top Priority is Ensuring New Leadership at Justice Department Will Uphold the Law Regardless of Ideology or Political Affiliation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Attorney General nominee Eric Holder about how he will restore integrity and independence to a Justice Department that has been tarnished by U.S. Attorney firings and other abuses of power. Mr. Holder testified before the Judiciary Committee this morning during his confirmation hearing.
"As the President-elect has acknowledged, your role among cabinet members is unique. Your first duty will be the Constitution and to the rule of law, not to the President. In the minds of many people, Attorney Gonzales stepped over that line and was perceived too much as the President's lawyer, and not the people's lawyer," Kohl said. "How can you assure that you are the right person to restore the independence of the Justice Department, especially in the light of the questions raised by your critics that you were not sufficiently independent of the White House in the Clinton Administration?"
During the first round of Committee questioning, Kohl focused on restoring independence to the Justice Department as well as closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and putting an end to the use of abusive interrogation techniques. During subsequent rounds of questioning this afternoon, Kohl is expected to focus on law enforcement and antitrust issues. Kohl is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee's panel on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.
# # #