SAFEGUARD AMERICAN VOTER ELIGIBILITY ACT--Continued

SAFEGUARD AMERICAN VOTER ELIGIBILITY ACT--Continued

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1566-S1567] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SAFEGUARD AMERICAN VOTER ELIGIBILITY ACT--Continued The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa. Nomination of Colin McDonald Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today, we are voting on Colin McDonald. He is nominated to serve as Assistant Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General over the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division. Historically, the President and the Attorney General have organized the Justice Department to address the pressing needs that face our Nation, and I commend President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for doing so now--right now--to address the ongoing crisis of Federal program fraud. You think about the ongoing crisis of Federal program fraud--think Minnesota; think Medicaid fraud. Republicans and Democrats can and should agree that fighting fraud, particularly fraud on the American taxpayer, is important work, and that is true now more than ever. The Judiciary Committee held multiple hearings on recent fraud in Minnesota. Since then, other fraud schemes have been identified around the country. These shocking fraud schemes target Federal programs that were designed to help people with autism, to help the elderly, and to help small businesses. However, the victims [[Page S1567]] of Federal program fraud are not just the intended recipients of program funding; the American taxpayers, who entrusted us in the government with their hard-earned money, are victims as well. The Trump nominee, Mr. McDonald, understands this, and he will fight all fraud against all victims. In his hearing, this is what Mr. McDonald committed to: ``prosecute criminals who exploit the generosity of our country by stealing from taxpayer-funded programs. Every dollar stolen is a dollar that didn't put bread on the table, that didn't reach the hospital bed, that didn't meet the needs identified by Congress. Fraudsters should never be allowed to rip off the United States of America.'' I agree with Mr. McDonald. What happened in Minnesota and around the country is unacceptable, and we, as elected officials, need to support the Justice Department in stopping this fraud. Confirming Mr. McDonald today as head of the National Fraud Enforcement Division is the very critical first step. Mr. McDonald is the right person to lead this effort. He spent his entire career in public service as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of California. As a prosecutor, Mr. McDonald handled an array of criminal offenses, and he specialized in investigating and prosecuting fraud, money laundering, unlawful transactions, and tax crimes. He has tirelessly worked to protect the rights of victims. He has never shied away from hard cases; he runs toward those hard cases. At every turn, he has advocated with candor and the highest ethical standards. In doing so, he gained the respect of his colleagues, his opposing counsel, and even the judges he appeared before. I believe the American people will be in good hands with Mr. McDonald working on their side, and I encourage my colleagues to support this nomination. I yield the floor. ____________________