McCaskill Votes to Advance Two Nominees for Key Federal Roles
Senator supports Administration’s picks for ethics, judicial posts
WASHINGTON – Senator Claire McCaskill, the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, voted in support of two of President Trump’s nominees for positions in the Office of Government Ethics and the D.C. Superior Court.
“It’s important we place qualified individuals in these roles, which are vital to ensuring the proper function of our government, upholding accountability, and countering waste and fraud,” McCaskill said. “I look forward to seeing these nominees confirmed by the Senate.”
With McCaskill’s support, the Committee approved the nominations of two of President Trump’s nominees, who now await confirmation by the full Senate.
Emory A. Rounds, III, an associate general counsel at the Office of Government Ethics who has worked for nearly two decades as a federal ethics and compliance attorney, was approved as Director of the Office of Government Ethics. Kelly Higashi, an assistant U.S. attorney with extensive experience as a sexual assault and domestic violence prosecutor, was approved as Associate Justice of the D.C. Superior Court.
The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee has oversight authority over the Office of Government Ethics, and other federal agencies and is responsible for the municipal affairs of the District of Columbia. McCaskill has served on the Committee since joining the Senate and became the top-ranking Democrat of the Committee early last year. Throughout her time on the Committee, she has worked as a watchdog to curb government waste, fight against corruption, and promote government accountability. In May, she introduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on improper federal payments, which were estimated to total over $144 billion in FY2016 alone. Last year, she demanded answers on a federal contract that left taxpayers responsible for more than $50 million in spurious costs, including several luxury vehicles.
###
