The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Tribute to William Barr (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S7477 on Dec. 15, 2020.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Tribute to William Barr
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, yesterday evening, President Trump shared the news that Attorney General Bill Barr will be leaving the administration in the coming days, and I want to take a moment to publicly thank the Attorney General for his service to our country.
Under two different Presidents and at two very different times in our country's history, Bill Barr gladly answered the call to service. His steadfast leadership has enabled the Department of Justice to continue its mission at a pivotal moment in our Nation's history.
I particularly appreciate Attorney General Barr's attempt to get to the bottom of some of the abuse of power by the FBI and the Department of Justice during the latter part of the Obama administration and early in the Trump administration.
During his time as Attorney General, Bill Barr has consistently fought to improve the safety of our communities across the country by attacking violent crime and aggressively countering transnational criminal organizations. He has been a champion of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which has strengthened community partnerships and helped to reduce crime rates across our country.
He has taken aim at the threats that exist beyond our borders, from drug cartels in Mexico to economic exploitation and outright theft by China.
Through it all, he has been as dogged in preventing injustice as in pursuing wrongdoing.
So I want to thank the Attorney General once again for not only answering the call to serve a second time but also for once again serving with distinction and integrity.
