Saxby Chambliss: “I rise to discuss my support for Eric Holder's nomination. When Mr. Holder was first nominated I had serious…”

“I rise to discuss my support for Eric Holder's nomination. When Mr. Holder was first nominated I had serious concerns--concerns about his stance on the second amendment, which is important to me and so many Georgians I represent, concerns about the potential prosecution of those who interrogated detainees in accordance with legal opinions issued by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, and concerns about his role as Deputy Attorney General in some of President Clinton's pardons. I had a long discussion with Mr. Holder last week and we talked extensively about the concerns that I had and that I know many of my constituents have. After our conversation, I was convinced that he will competently serve as our next Attorney General, and will keep the best interests of the American people in mind. With respect to the second amendment, Mr. Holder recognizes the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller, holding the second amendment to be an individual right, to be the law of the land. With respect to former interrogators, he recognized that it does not make sense to prosecute those clearly acting under the authority of the Office of Legal Counsel. Finally, with respect to his role in President Clinton's pardoning of Marc Rich, Mr. Holder fully recognized his mistakes and stated if he had to do it again, he would have done things differently.”