Republicans Reject Durbin’s Unanimous Consent Request To Pass Resolution In Honor Of Robert Mueller

Republicans Reject Durbin's Unanimous Consent Request To Pass Resolution In Honor Of Robert Mueller

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced that honors the life of the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller. During his speech, Durbin praised Director Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War, where he earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, as well as his many years of public service in the Department of Justice and at the FBI-under Republican and Democratic presidents alike.

"Last month, America lost a man who devoted his life to serving America-Robert Mueller. He passed away on March 20. He left behind an amazing legacy of patriotism, honesty, integrity, and courage," Durbin said. "In 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, Robert Mueller chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. He served as a rifle platoon leader. Years later, he said that of all his accomplishments in life, he was 'most proud the Marine Corps deemed me worthy of leading other Marines' … After his military service, Robert Mueller became a lawyer and spent most of his life in public service. A lifelong Republican, a lifelong Republican, he served for many years as a prosecutor and senior Justice Department official under Democratic and Republican presidents alike… Mueller's work won him the admiration of both President George W. Bush and the United States Senate. One week before September 11, 2001, Bob Mueller was sworn in as Director of the FBI."

Durbin continued, "In the aftermath of the horrific 9/11 terrorist attack, Bob Mueller worked tirelessly to make our nation safe. Director Mueller led the FBI at a tumultuous time. After the worst terror attack in American history, Bob Mueller more than any single individual was responsible for modernizing the FBI to combat the threats we face in the 21st century. It was my honor to support him in that effort. It was no surprise that when his term with the FBI was set to expire in 2011, President Obama asked the Senate to extend Mueller's term by two years. The vote in the Senate was unanimous, 100-0, in favor of Bob Mueller, as it should have been."

Durbin concluded, "Mr. Mueller left the FBI in 2013 yet even that was not the end of his service to the American people. In 2017, Director Mueller was asked to serve his nation one last time. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a Trump appointee, asked Mueller to serve as Special Counsel to investigate Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. While my colleagues and I have spent many years debating the merits of the Mueller Report, his work on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and throughout his time at DOJ and FBI demonstrate true character, hard work, courage, honesty, professionalism, and a dedication to our Constitution."

U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) then objected to Durbin's UC request, calling Director Mueller's reputation a "mixed bag" and Durbin's resolution honoring Mueller's life a "hit job at President Trump."

Durbin said in response to Banks, "I am disappointed that the junior Senator from Indiana has blocked the Senate from honoring an American hero, Bob Mueller, who protected our national security with his life and for decades served the call to public service. This is so unusual to come to the floor and to honor someone who has served the country the way Bob Mueller did and to have an objection. And to say that it was a 'political potshot against Donald Trump.' It was not at all. The effort that I made on the floor was to extol the virtues of a man who served this country and risked his life for this country over and over again. My colleague is objecting for one reason only-President Donald Trump despises Bob Mueller and his memory because Trump's own administration appointed Mueller as Special Counsel to investigate Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 election."

Durbin continued, "Mr. Mueller's comprehensive investigation resulted in 37 indictments, seven guilty pleas or convictions, and 14 criminal referrals to other U.S. Department of Justice counterparts. This, to Donald Trump, was an unforgivable sin. Do you remember what President Trump said when he heard that this man died? Exactly what he said? The President of the United States said of Bob Mueller, 'Good, I'm glad he's dead.' 'Good, I'm glad he's dead.' Words from the mouth of the President of the United States, a man who poses at the Messiah or some doctor, I don't understand which."

Durbin concluded, "This is not the first time the President has attacked an American war hero. I'm sorry that the Senator from Indiana joined in that attack. We cannot pretend this cruel and un-American behavior is normal. I'm sorry that the Senator from Indiana sees it differently. And I want to say to Bob Mueller's family, who I believe is watching, he is still an American hero in my eyes. And though this political move was made on the floor and it seldom is made, I'm sorry, it doesn't change one bit that Bob Mueller served this country honorably and with dignity and character his whole life."

Video of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.

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