In Senate Floor Speech, Durbin Opposes Nomination Of Stanley Woodward To Serve As Associate Attorney General

In Senate Floor Speech, Durbin Opposes Nomination Of Stanley Woodward To Serve As Associate Attorney General

Durbin emphasized that Woodward is a danger to DOJ as he has helped AG Bondi dismantle critical divisions within the agency

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor opposing the nomination of Stanley Woodward, President Trump's nominee to serve as Associate Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In his remarks, Durbin made clear that Mr. Woodward, who has been an active participant in gutting critical divisions at DOJ, is unfit to serve in this position. Mr. Woodward's nomination is one of 108 nominations being considered en bloc in S. Res. 412.

"The upcoming vote on more than a hundred nominees is actually what I feared would happen when Senate Republicans violated Senate rules to fast-track nominees. This has opened the door to rushing through more extreme nominees who have one qualification for office: they are blindly loyal to President Trump. That extends to a man named Stanley Woodward, the nominee to be the number three official at the Department of Justice," Durbin began his remarks.

"Mr. Woodward is not even close to qualified. He has never, never worked at the Justice Department before this Administration. What he has done is show his loyalty to Donald Trump by representing Trump associates for their roles in thwarting investigations into the President," Durbin continued.

Durbin continued, highlighting how Mr. Woodward-while serving in his current capacity as senior advisor to the Attorney General-helped facilitate the dismantling and politicization of the Justice Department, including by pushing out career attorneys and diverting resources away from critical efforts to protect civil rights.

Durbin then highlighted the cloud of corruption swirling over Mr. Woodward's nomination: "Mr. Woodward also overruled Antitrust Division officials to personally negotiate a settlement with lobbyists in DOJ's challenge to Hewlett Packard's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks. The acquisition resulted in two firms controlling more than 70 percent of the wireless network market, a market duopoly. Trump Administration political appointees in the Antitrust Division who objected to this settlement-what happened to them? They were forced out of office. One of them said of the settlement, 'corrupt lobbyists with no relevant expertise are perverting actual law enforcement through money, power, relationships, and influence. Stanley Woodward perverted justice and acted inconsistent with the rule of law.'"

In September, Durbin sent a letter to AG Bondi criticizing her approach to antitrust matters, specifically citing the proposed settlement in Hewlett Packard's acquisition of Juniper Networks. Durbin specifically called out Mr. Woodward's involvement in the settlement.

Calling attention to Republican hypocrisy with their decision to go nuclear on Senate rules, Durbin highlighted the fact that Associate Attorney General nominees have received roll call votes on the floor of the Senate in the past, including former President Joe Biden's nominee for this same position, Vanita Gupta.

"In 2021, Republicans tried to filibuster her nomination in Committee and then tried to shut down Committee business before we voted. On the floor, Republicans forced extra procedural votes to slow down her confirmation. Despite my frustration at the time with my Republican colleagues for obstructing a highly qualified and experienced nominee to serve as Associate Attorney General, I never sought to short-circuit the constitutional responsibility of members of the Senate to give advice and consent. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot, Republicans are intent on taking away yet another core duty of the Senate in deference to President Trump," said Durbin.

Durbin concluded by calling on his colleagues to vote no on this package of nominations.

In May, Durbin met with Mr. Woodward about his nomination.

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

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

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

-30-