We’ve requested that the bill on the agenda and the judicial
nominees be held over. I understand that we can voice vote the nominees to be
U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal.
I’d also like to mention my October
5, 2022, letter to the Justice Department and FBI. That letter is based on
whistleblower disclosures about widespread sexual misconduct at the FBI. In
that letter, I noted one FBI document that I’ve made public which shows 665 FBI
employees retired or resigned to avoid punishment for their misconduct from
2004 to 2020. That includes 45 Senior Executive Service employees.
Another FBI document that I’ve made public shows the FBI is aware
of higher-graded employees receiving lesser punishment than lower-graded
employees for similar misconduct. The documents show a systemic failure within
the Justice Department and FBI to put a stop to sexual harassment and
misconduct in the workplace. The documents show a failure to sufficiently
punish employees for that same misconduct.
I’ve asked the Justice Department and FBI for more data and for
them to explain themselves. They’ve failed to respond. So, on November
2, 2022, I requested that the Justice Department Inspector General review
and investigate these and related matters. I fully expect an update from the
Inspector General and for him to take action.
Now, going forward, Chairman Durbin and I have agreed to join
forces with respect to investigating these FBI sexual misconduct issues next
Congress. We’re also working together to investigate similar misconduct at the
Department of Homeland Security, which will continue into next Congress.
These are important bipartisan investigations and I look forward
to jointly pursuing them.
As I’m sure everyone here would agree, Congress has an obligation
to perform an objective and independent review of these serious governmental
failures and create positive change. Government employees shouldn’t have to
suffer under daily abuse and misconduct by their colleagues and supervisors.
Lastly, as I often say, our doors are always open for more
whistleblowers.
