U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has once again faced opposition from U.S. Senator J.D. Vance in his efforts to confirm U.S. Attorney nominations on the Senate floor. Durbin requested unanimous consent to schedule confirmation votes on two U.S. Attorney nominations, Rebecca C. Lutzko and April M. Perry, but Vance objected to the request.
Durbin had previously attempted to confirm these nominees along with two others in September, but Vance objected to the request at that time as well. While the other two nominees eventually received confirmation votes, Vance has continued to object to scheduling votes for Lutzko and Perry. Durbin expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, "Each time I’ve come to the floor asking for this, the junior Senator from Ohio has objected... He says that he ran for office to fight the criminals and not the cops. It turns out to be a hollow promise when he’s holding up criminal prosecutors at a professional level in two major parts of the United States—one of them his own state."
Durbin highlighted the importance of having qualified U.S. Attorneys in place, particularly in light of the fentanyl crisis. He emphasized the role of U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting criminal cases and protecting communities from violence and terrorism. Durbin pointed out that Ohio has been severely impacted by the opioid epidemic, with over 5,000 Ohioans losing their lives to drug overdoses in one year. He expressed concern that the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, whose nomination is being blocked by Vance, could be addressing this crisis with community stakeholders.
Durbin criticized Vance's actions as harmful not only to his own state but also to the nation as a whole. He accused Vance of prioritizing his allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the well-being of the American people. Durbin warned that the precedent set by Vance's obstruction could undermine public safety across the entire nation for years to come.
The Senate has traditionally confirmed U.S. Attorneys through voice votes or unanimous consent. However, Durbin's recent experiences with Republican colleagues refusing to allow confirmation votes have deviated from this practice. Durbin is determined to overcome these obstacles and ensure that qualified individuals are appointed as U.S. Attorneys.
The news article can be found at [source](https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/junior-senator-from-ohio-continues-to-block-durbins-attempt-to-confirm-us-attorney-nominations-on-the-senate-floor).
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/releases/12/18/2023/junior-senator-from-ohio-continues-to-block-durbins-attempt-to-confirm-us-attorney-nominations-on-the-senate-floor
