Durbin Questions Judicial Nominee, 'Drug Czar' Nominee In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

Durbin Questions Judicial Nominee, 'Drug Czar' Nominee In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

Durbin pressed Ms. Carter Bailey, the nominee to be the "Drug Czar," on her plan to reduce the flow of drugs and weapons between the U.S. and the Mexican cartels despite the White House slashing the grant program to address high intensity drug trafficking areas

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the judicial nominations of Rebecca Taibleson, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; David Bragdon, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; Lindsey Freeman, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; Matthew Orso, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina; Susan Courtwright Rodriguez, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina; and Sara Carter Bailey, nominated to be the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

During the first panel, Durbin noted that this was unfortunately not the first time a nominee had faced opposition on the basis of his or her faith, recalling the despicable treatment of Adeel Mangi, who had been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by President Biden. Durbin questioned Ms. Taibleson about criticism over her nomination from right-wing organizations regarding the Temple she attends in Milwaukee to her donation to both political parties.

"They [the right-wing organizations criticizing Ms. Taibleson] are ignoring the very basics of our Constitution, as you noted. It says, of course, in the Bill of Rights, we have freedom of religious belief or no religious belief, that's up to us, and the government is not going to choose a preferred religion. But there is a third provision which says 'no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States,' so whether it's the First Liberty Institute or the AFA Action group, both of which sent letters opposing your candidacy… they are ignoring… the obvious letter and law of the Constitution," said Durbin.

Ms. Taibleson responded that she is proud of her Jewish faith and cited Article VI of the Constitution which states that no religious test can be required as a qualification for holding any office or public trust under the United States. She continued to state that regardless of the opposition letters, she is honored to be nominated.

Video of Durbin's questions to Ms. Taibleson in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin's questions to Ms. Taibleson in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin's questions to Ms. Taibleson in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

During the second panel, Durbin questioned Ms. Sara Carter Bailey, nominated to be the "Drug Czar." Durbin first questioned Ms. Carter Bailey about High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) grants. President Trump's FY 2026 budget proposal would cut the HIDTA grant program by 34 percent.

"I hope we can agree that the HIDTA grants are valuable to fighting the drug crisis in America, do we?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Carter responded, "of course, HIDTA is a very important part of fighting [the drug crisis.]"

"So last year, the 33 HIDTAs identified by the program, seized 4.1 million pounds of fentanyl and other drugs and denied drug traffickers $17.7 billion in illicit profits… HIDTA grants work, right?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Carter Bailey responded, "absolutely."

"Let me ask you to please explain why the HIDTA program is subjected to a 34 percent cut by the Trump budget?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Carter Bailey responded only that she supports both the President's budget and the HIDTA program, despite budget cutting HIDTA by 34 percent.

Durbin again asked, "how would you justify a 34 percent cut in HIDTA grants if we haven't won the 'war on drugs'?"

She stated that President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' supplements the HIDTA grant program. She continued to say, "this Administration continues to assess those grants."

Durbin responded, "34 percent cut is not support."

Durbin then asked Ms. Carter Bailey about the Mexican drug cartel.

"Are you aware that these drug cartels are heavily armed, [and] do you know their weapon of choice?" Durbin asked.

She responded that the Mexican drug cartel uses a variety of weapons.

"And the Mexican police and military forces as well, correct?... And one of the weapons they use is a 50-caliber rifle?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Carter Bailey responded that Durbin's statement was correct.

"You also know the Mexican government does an analysis of where these crime guns come from for the drug cartels and find that 70 percent come from the United States?" Durbin asked.

She responded they are aware and "assessing both sides" of this situation.

"Do you think we have an obligation to stop that flow of weapons [from the U.S. to the Mexican cartels]?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Carter Bailey responded "absolutely."

"What do you suggest we do?" Durbin followed up to Ms. Carter Bailey, who failed to provide a tangible solution.

"You have to get beyond an assessment-you have to do something to stop the flow of deadly weapons to the cartels," said Durbin.

Ms. Carter Bailey stated, without evidence, that "shutting down the border" has helped reduce the flow of weapons from the United States to Mexico.

"The drug crisis is serious… you don't have a background in this other than an interest in the subject. They [the Trump Administration] trusts you with that responsibility. When they're cutting the budget of [HIDTA] grants, [it] really gives a lot of us pause," Durbin concluded.

Video of Durbin's questions to Ms. Carter Bailey in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin's questions to Ms. Carter Bailey in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin's questions to Ms. Carter Bailey in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

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