[Page S5505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Jeanine Pirro

  Mr. GRASSLEY. One of the next two votes will be for Ms. Pirro, 
nomination for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Ms. Pirro is 
a trailblazer. It is shameful for Democrats to oppose this trailblazing 
woman. Her qualifications speak for themselves. She graduated from law 
school in 1975, and began prosecuting domestic abuse cases at a time 
when very few other women did so. She was the first woman to serve as a 
judge in Westchester County Court. She was the first woman to serve as 
district attorney for that county. And she was the first woman to serve 
as president of the New York State District Attorneys' Association.
  Her record is remarkable. She spent 27 years prosecuting criminals 
and another 3 as a judge. In those three decades, Ms. Pirro gained a 
reputation for fierce advocacy against domestic abuse and crimes 
against children.
  In 1977, she helped create the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse 
Bureau in Westchester County, serving as its first-ever chief. She also 
created the Elder Abuse Bureau to prosecute crimes against elderly 
citizens.
  In the 1990s, she stood up one of the first law enforcement sting 
operations against sexual predators on the internet. Her reputation was 
so widely known that online predators referred to suspected police 
officers in the internet chat rooms as ``Pirro's Boys.''
  Today, many Americans know her as Judge Jeanine, and she is beloved 
for her straight talk and witty commentary.
  You may hear my Democratic colleagues criticize Ms. Pirro for some of 
her colorful remarks during her time as a TV personality. Yes, she has 
a larger-than-life personality, but she has decades of distinguished 
record as a prosecutor and judge.
  DC is fortunate that the President nominated her to serve as its U.S. 
attorney. Her job in the interim role where she is stationed now has 
been heralded. She boosted morale. She has the support of the DC Police 
Union and the National Fraternal Order of Police.
  I look forward to supporting her nomination and urge my colleagues to 
do the same.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I know of no further debate.