Dear Mr. Hamster:
Thank you for contacting me about the nomination of Kristen Clarke to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights of the United States. I always appreciate hearing from Arizonans about issues facing our state and country. It is important that we have conversations about topics that matter to you and your family, and I hope you will continue to reach out to me and share your perspectives and suggestions.
Article II, section two of the United States Constitution grants the president authority to appoint certain public officials with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. Each nominee traditionally undergoes a detailed vetting process, including comprehensive investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies. After introduction on the Senate floor, the nominations move to the Senate committees with jurisdiction over the appointed position. For an assistant attorney general, that is the Senate Judiciary Committee. Following committee hearings and approval, the entire Senate votes on the confirmation of the nominee.
President Biden nominated Kristen Clarke to serve as the assistant attorney general for civil rights on January 20, 2021. The assistant attorney general leads the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, or national origin. Supporters of Ms. Clarke’s nomination argue that her previous position as the president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and experience managing the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office qualify her for the role. Ms. Clarke’s opponents express concern about her ability to impartially uphold the law, citing previous critical statements she made about Republicans and judicial nominees nominated by Republicans. The United States Senate confirmed Ms. Clarke’s nomination by a vote of 51 to 48 on May 25, 2021. I voted in favor of her confirmation. Ms. Clarke makes history as the first woman to permanently lead the Civil Rights Division.
As Arizona’s senior senator, I evaluate every presidential nominee based on whether he or she is professionally qualified, believes in the mission of his or her agency, and can be trusted to faithfully execute and uphold the law as it exists. After thoughtfully considering Ms. Clarke’s nomination, I am confident that she is professionally qualified, believes in the mission of the Department of Justice, and will faithfully uphold the law.
Thank you for sharing your view on this issue with me. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any future questions or comments. Additionally, if you would like to stay connected to our office with the latest news, legislation, and other useful information, please visit our website, sinema.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Kyrsten Sinema
United States Senator