The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO NICHOLAS MAYORKAS” mentioning Gary C. Peters was published in the Senate section on page S192 on Jan. 28.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO NICHOLAS MAYORKAS
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise in support of Alejandro Mayorkas's nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
As recent events have shown, our country is facing dangerous threats to our security and to our national security. Violence and domestic terrorism, spurred on by White supremacist ideology, anti-government sentiment, and conspiracy theories, continue to rise. We saw the tragic and deadly result of that growing threat right here in the Capitol just 3 weeks ago, and just yesterday the Department of Homeland Security issued a counterterrorism bulletin, warning of possible further violence in the coming weeks.
Earlier this year, we learned that hackers--likely backed by a foreign adversary--carried out the largest cyber security breach of our Federal Government. We still do not have all of the answers on how they were able to infiltrate our networks or what information they have access to.
All this is happening while we are struggling to control a once-in-a-
century pandemic that has, tragically, taken over 425,000 American lives so far.
The Department of Homeland Security should be leading a forceful response to these complex and significant threats and protecting Americans, but the Department and its more than 240,000 employees need a qualified, experienced, and Senate-confirmed leader at the helm--a leader like Alejandro Mayorkas.
Mr. Mayorkas has built an extensive national security record throughout his career in public service. He has been confirmed by the Senate three times, including twice for senior roles at the Department of Homeland Security. Not only did he help lead the Obama administration's successful responses to the Ebola and Zika epidemics, he also played a critical role in protecting the homeland from foreign and domestic terrorism, strengthened our national cyber security, and increased cooperation between the Federal Government and local law enforcement agencies.
Not only does he stand ready to lead the Department as it tackles serious and challenging national security threats, Mr. Mayorkas also understands that the Department and its mission have a real effect on people and their families. His own family's journey to the United States--first fleeing Nazi occupation in Eastern Europe and later immigrating to the United States from Cuba--has given him a unique perspective on the very heart of the Department's mission--something that was certainly lost during the previous administration. Mr. Mayorkas is uniquely qualified to make sure the Department of Homeland Security is working to protect people from all backgrounds, all communities, and all walks of life.
Mr. Mayorkas has the qualifications, the experience, and the record of accomplishments to provide steady leadership, to help restore trust in the Department, and to safeguard our national security. That is why it is no surprise that his nomination has been endorsed by four former Homeland Security Secretaries and a former Acting Secretary from both Democratic and Republican administrations. He also has the support of a group of more than 30 cyber security experts, 34 former Homeland Security officials, and multiple law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police.
Within this body, there are certainly very different views of the role of the Federal Government, but one thing I think we can all agree on as a top priority is keeping Americans safe. It is our No. 1 job, and that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me today in supporting the confirmation of Mr. Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security so that he can quickly begin the important and essential task of working to strengthen our national security and safeguarding all Americans.
I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote begin immediately.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
Alerts Sign-up