Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s unanimous approval of Eileen Decker’s nomination to be the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. Feinstein recommended Decker for the position and she was nominated by the president in February.

“Ms. Decker’s qualifications are exemplary,” said Senator Feinstein. “Through her work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Mayor, Ms. Decker earned the respect of law enforcement and the legal community from all across the Central District of California. I believe Eileen Decker is well qualified to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.”

Feinstein’s full statement, submitted for the committee’s record, is below:

“Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer my full support for the nomination of Eileen Decker to be the next United States Attorney for the Central District of California—the most populous federal judicial district in the country.

I personally recommended Ms. Decker to the president after my bipartisan screening committee recommended her to me as a nominee.

Ms. Decker’s qualifications are exemplary.

For the past six years, she has served with distinction as the Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety in the City of Los Angeles.

In that role, she has served under two different mayors and has been responsible for all matters related to the Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Management Department.

Prior to her appointment as Deputy Mayor, Ms. Decker served approximately 15 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Central District of California.

For 11 of her 15 years in that office, Ms. Decker served in a supervisory role, including service as: the Chief of the National Security Section, the Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Section, and the Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force.

Prior to her service as an Assistant United States Attorney, Ms. Decker further worked as a civil litigator in private practice and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gary L. Taylor, a United States District Judge in the Central District of California.

These diverse experiences make her well-suited to lead the U.S. Attorney’s office. And I am not alone in my endorsement.

Through her work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Mayor, Ms. Decker earned the respect of law enforcement and the legal community from all across the Central District of California.

I will just mention three.

Jim McDonnell, the current Los Angeles County Sheriff, was the Long Beach Police Chief and worked extensively with Decker. He offered me his ‘very highest and most enthusiastic support’ for her.

Charlie Beck, the Chief of Police in Los Angeles, described Ms. Decker as ‘particularly well qualified for this position due to her exceptional management and leadership ability.’

The late Arthur Alarcòn – a good friend of mine, and former Judge on the Ninth Circuit – wrote to me that Ms. Decker’s appointment as U.S. Attorney ‘would inspire young women to not only apply to law school, but would also demonstrate that there is no glass ceiling for appointment to federal office.’

I believe Eileen Decker is well qualified to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.

I urge my colleagues to support her, and to move her toward a swift confirmation.”

###