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In case you’ve forgotten, on June 8, 2017 the Senate Judiciary Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the nomination of Makan Delrahim, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the USDOJ. The committee approved Mr. Delrahim’s nomination by a vote of 19-1. Once approved by the committee, the nomination should go before the full Senate. But, Mr. Delrahim still has not been brought up for a confirmation vote in the Senate. Sad.
This is a very unfortunate situation for the nations’ top competition law enforcement body. The work of the Division goes on as staffs continue investigations and time sensitive decisions are still made. But, it is an added stress and drain on morale to lack leadership; especially when the leadership will likely be enthusiastically received by at least most staff members. And, not just Mr. Delrahim awaits getting on board; the new Assistant Attorney General will bring in his team to fill out the “front office.”
The delay in confirming Mr. Delrahim has been lamented in two recent articles. In a June 25, 2017 opinion article in The Hill, DC attorney David Balto wrote:
Delrahim is not controversial and is regarded by both Republicans and Democrats to be perfect for the job. He has a strong reputation as a pragmatist with real world experience to guide the tough enforcement decisions the division faces. Time to get Trump’s new Antitrust Cop on the Beat
Another article referred to the fact that until Mr. Delrahim is appointed and able to fill out his staff, the direction and priorities of the Antitrust Division under Trump are not known. In a June 30, 2017 BNA Law article Liz Crampton notes:
The long-term agenda of the Justice Department remains unknown as Makan Delrahim, nominee to lead the division, is still awaiting Senate confirmation three months after President Donald Trump named him. Justice Dept. Antitrust Division Treads Lightly Absent Leader
Mr. Delrahim can provide the kind of guidance the business community counts on, but is currently lacking.
Here’s hoping something as non-controversial but important as Mr. Delrahim’s confirmation vote can dodge through the dysfunction in DC and get taken care of very soon.
Thanks for reading.