Dear Mr. Hamster,

          Thank you for contacting me about President Biden’s nomination of Kristen Clarke for Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights. As a former Navy pilot, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, it is an honor to continue my service to our country representing Arizona in the United States Senate. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the issues facing our state and our country. Hearing from Arizonans helps me better serve our state, and I hope you will continue to share your perspective and suggestions.

          The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit discrimination and uphold all Americans’ civil and constitutional rights. The Civil Rights Division is headed by the Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights. It is the responsibility of the United States Senate to consider the qualifications of individuals nominated by the President of the United States to serve as Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights. 

          On January 7, 2021, then-President-Elect Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Kristen Clarke to serve as head of the Civil Rights Division. Kristen Clarke has recently served as President and executive director of the National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She previously worked with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, focused on election law reform. On April 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee held Kristen Clarke’s confirmation hearing. On May 18, 2021, her nomination was discharged from the Senate Judiciary Committee, to be considered by the full United States Senate, and Ms. Clarke’s nomination was confirmed by the full United States Senate on May 25, 2021 by a vote of 51 to 48. 

          Arizonans understand the importance of having an impartial and independent Civil Rights Division and a Department of Justice that works for equal justice under the law for all Americans. As the United States Senate considers Kristen Clarke’s nomination, I carefully reviewed her record and listened to her nomination hearing. After carefully considering her nomination, I found her to be well qualified to lead the Civil Rights Division, and voted for her nomination. 

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office with any future comments or questions. I’m committed to being transparent and accountable with all Arizonans, which is why I release my public schedule every week at kelly.senate.gov. There you can also sign up for my newsletter, receive assistance with a federal agency, and learn more about my work as Arizona’s senator.

Sincerely, 
 
Mark Kelly
United States Senator