Orrin Hatch: “I rise in support of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, which Senator Leahy and I…”

“I rise in support of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, which Senator Leahy and I have introduced today. Senator Leahy and I have been working for several years to pass a Department of Justice reauthorization bill, and I can say that it is once again a major priority of the Judiciary Committee this session. I want to emphasize to my colleagues how important it is that the Senate consider and pass this legislation to reauthorize the Department of Justice this year. It is simply inexcusable that over two decades have lapsed since Congress has passed a general authorization bill for the Department of Justice. It is in my view a matter of significant concern when any major cabinet department goes for such a long period of time without congressional reauthorization. Absence of reauthorization encourages administrative drift and permits important policy decisions to be made ad hoc through the adoption of appropriations bills or special purpose legislation. Moreover, our failure to reauthorize has also placed the undue burden on the appropriations committees in both houses to act as both authorizers and appropriators. This legislation will end the piecemeal funding of important programs and responsibilities which affect the day-to-day lives of all Americans. The Department of Justice's main duty is to provide justice to all Americans, certainly of central importance to our national life.”