[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 61 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2443-S2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



           Commending the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee

  Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I would like to add my voice to yours in 
commending the chairman of the Judiciary

[[Page S2444]]

Committee, the Senator from Iowa, for the honorable, principled, and 
commonsense way in which he led this committee through the last number 
of weeks and months as he shepherded through this body the confirmation 
of Judge--on Monday, Justice--Gorsuch.
  The chairman from Iowa is a special man, and the 100 of us--or the 99 
of us--who are privileged and blessed to serve with him know he is the 
model of how to conduct oneself honorably in this job, and America will 
benefit from Judge Gorsuch's joining the Court.
  I add my voice to those commending the senior Senator from Iowa for 
the way he has helped shepherd this body.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sasse). The majority leader.


    Congratulating Neil Gorsuch and Thanking Those Involved in the 
                          Confirmation Process

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am proud to say the Senate has now 
confirmed Judge Neil Gorsuch as an Associate Justice on the Supreme 
Court. I want to congratulate Judge Gorsuch on this significant 
achievement. I look forward to observing his good work in the years to 
come.
  The confirmation process was certainly a significant undertaking--one 
that would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of so 
many. I would like to take a moment to recognize them now.
  First, I would like to thank the man who made this moment possible by 
sending us this outstanding nominee. He is our President, Donald Trump. 
This has been one of the most transparent judicial nomination processes 
anybody can remember, and President Trump should be commended for his 
efforts.
  I also appreciate the role Vice President Pence played in moving this 
nomination forward as well as the outstanding work of the White House 
staff, led by Don McGahn, and for the wise counsel they provided 
throughout this process.
  Of course, we all know how tirelessly our dear friend Senator 
Grassley has worked in leading the Judiciary Committee through this 
process. He has been an unwavering leader, though we know it has not 
always been easy. Chairman Grassley worked long and hard to ensure this 
process ran efficiently, to give Members on both sides ample 
opportunity to review the nomination, to see that the nominee was 
treated respectfully, and, ultimately, to help bring this well-
qualified jurist over the finish line.
  I would be remiss if I did not also mention the work of the Judiciary 
Committee collectively for its time and effort as well. I am referring 
to members of the committee, and I am referring to Chairman Grassley's 
excellent Judiciary staff as well. They were critical to this effort.
  Specifically, I thank the following: Staff Director Kolan Davis, 
Chief Nominations Counsel Ted Lehman, Communications Director Beth 
Levine, Megan Lacy, Lauren Mehler, Kasey O'Connor, Katharine Willey, 
Bill Lane, Carol Szurkowski, Dan Guarnera, and Katie Roholt.
  To that end, I would also like to acknowledge our former colleague 
Kelly Ayotte. From dozens of meetings with Senators to lengthy days-
long hearings, she helped to ensure that this process ran as smoothly 
as possible, and she did so with a sense of grace that we all came to 
know when she was one of our colleagues.
  Similarly, I want to recognize several White House Legislative 
Affairs staff who helped guide Judge Gorsuch through this process, 
including Mary Elizabeth Taylor, Marc Short, and Amy Swonger.
  There are several others I would like to thank as well.
  To the floor staff, Laura Dove, Robert Duncan, and their team, thank 
you for keeping the floor running smoothly and guiding us through 
Senate procedure. You all do incredible work and very difficult work, 
and you make it look effortless during each and every time.
  To the folks who keep our institution running--the Parliamentarians, 
the clerks, the reporters of debates, the doorkeepers, Capitol Police, 
and numerous others who have sacrificed and worked long--often 
grueling--hours, thank you for everything you do and for always doing 
it with a smile.
  Of course, I would also like to thank my Republican colleagues for 
their months of hard work. It has been a winding and sometimes bumpy 
road, but together we were able to confirm a judge who, I believe, will 
serve his country very well.
  In particular, let me thank Republican whip, John Cornyn, and his 
team, led by Monica Popp, for their efforts. Theirs is certainly not an 
easy job, but it is a necessary one.
  There are a few others I could not leave today without mentioning.
  To each and every member of my own staff, I want to express my 
sincere appreciation. There are almost too many names to mention, but, 
if I may, I would like to acknowledge a few individuals who have been 
particular assets through this entire process.
  My chief of staff, Sharon Soderstrom, led our team through this 
lengthy and arduous confirmation process while balancing a never-ending 
list of demands. She has been a constant source of support and, as 
always, an indisputable and fearless leader.
  Sharon, I am immensely grateful to you for being at the helm of my 
leadership office.
  My deputy chief, Don Stewart--``Stew'' as we like to call him--always 
knows exactly what to say or not to say, as the case may be. He has 
been a critical member of the team in charting the way forward and in 
helping convey our efforts to the American people.
  Stew, thank you for your discerning advice and, yes, for your good 
humor as well.
  My policy director, Hazen Marshall, has steered our policy objectives 
forward, balancing numerous legislative items and making it look 
effortless along the way.
  So thanks, Hazen, for your sound counsel and for driving the train 
forward on so many different issues.
  To my counsel, John Abegg, where do I begin? John has been an 
invaluable member of my team, a guiding source of wisdom, and a driving 
force in bringing Judge Gorsuch over the finish line. He has put in 
countless hours and has never stopped working, even in the most trying 
of times.
  John, literally, this moment would not have been possible without 
you.
  I know there are many others whom I wasn't able to name right now, 
but I want them to know we recognize their efforts, and we are 
immeasurably grateful for the work they do.
  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. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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