Pete Sessions: “I would like to express my appreciation to my staff who worked tirelessly during these past few months on this…”

“I would like to express my appreciation to my staff who worked tirelessly during these past few months on this nomination. They spent many long hours combing through and distilling information in hundreds of thousands of documents provided by Solicitor General Kagan, the Clinton Library and the Pentagon. On a short timeline, my staff worked around the clock to prepare for the hearing before the Judiciary Committee, which occurred merely 49 days after President Obama announced Solicitor General Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court. Because of their hard work and dedication, our members were well-prepared and well-informed, which allowed us to conduct a fair and thorough hearing. Mr. President, I would like to thank my staff and Senator Leahy's staff, the Judiciary Committee staff, for their fine work during this nomination process. It has gone on for a number of weeks, and it has been very stressful, with a lot of late nights, and people really have worked hard. I believe that has provided us with good and accurate information. I particularly would like to express my appreciation to my staff director, Brian Benczkowski, on whom I have relied repeatedly through this process, for his good judgment and wise counsel, his integrity and experience as we have dealt with this difficult challenge. I would also note my chief counsel for nominations, Danielle Cutrona, who has also worked exceedingly hard, as well as my deputy staff director, Matt Miner.”