Grassley: Confirm Nominees to Federal Law Enforcement and Judicial Positions


? Sen. Chuck Grassley today urged prompt action by the Senate on nominees for public service as U.S. marshals, U.S. attorneys and federal judges.

Grassley said that putting these law enforcement officers and members of the federal judiciary are another key component of the effort to defeat terrorism. "Last week's attacks have burdened our law enforcement and judicial resources. We need to have everyone on the job and fully equipped to enhance our security, to investigate and to bring to justice those responsible for the heinous attacks last week," Grassley said.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Minority Leader Trent Lott, Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch, Grassley said pending nominations should be considered in a bipartisan manner before Congress adjourns this fall.

There are four individuals from Iowa who have been nominated by President Bush and require confirmation by the U.S. Senate. They are:

  • Charles Larson Sr. of Cedar Rapids to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
  • Steve Colloton of Des Moines to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa
  • James Gritzner of West Des Moines to the U.S. Southern District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Judge Michael Melloy of Cedar Rapids to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

    Nationwide, seven Justice Department nominees, including the head of the U.S. marshals, 35 U.S. attorneys and 51 federal judges await confirmation by the U.S. Senate.