Schumer Floor Remarks On Meeting With President-Elect Biden DHS Nominee Alejandro Mayorkas

Washington, D.C. — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the exceptional qualifications of President-elect Biden’s cabinet nominees and the need to confirm Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security without unnecessary delays. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

M. President, I just met with another of President-elect Biden’s exceptionally qualified slate of cabinet nominees over videoconference, and that was Alejandro Mayorkas for the Department of Homeland Security. No one exemplifies the hope and promise of America better than Ali, an immigrant from Cuba who has risen to the highest echelons of public service in his adopted country. We had an excellent conversation about how to restore integrity and trust at DHS, and how to make this a department that is not just anti-immigrant, but relishes the fact that immigrants are so important to the future of America.

Now, I will note that in previous administrations, the Secretary of Homeland Security has been confirmed by the Senate on inauguration day—for President Obama and for President Trump. The Senate should continue the tradition and quickly confirm Ali Mayorkas, for the third time, so that he can get to work on Day One of the Biden administration. 

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