Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt participated in a Senate Committee on the Judiciary confirmation hearing for three Department of Justice nominees. The nominees include Harmeet Dhillon for Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, Aaron Reitz for Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ Office of Legal Policy, and John Sauer for Solicitor General.

Senator Britt expressed her support for nominee Aaron Reitz, stating her appreciation for his service to the nation and his work with Senator Ted Cruz. She said, “I am not only grateful for your service to this nation and the U.S. Marine Corps, but what I have seen you do for Senator [Ted] Cruz firsthand.”

The senator questioned nominee Harmeet Dhillon about election integrity and verifying citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. She stated, “Alabama feels strongly about making sure that every single person has access to vote... We also want to make sure that that vote is protected.”

Britt highlighted her previous introduction of the Citizen Ballot Protection Act, aiming to ensure states can verify that only American citizens are voting in federal elections. She plans to reintroduce this bill in the 119th Congress.

Dhillon acknowledged Britt’s legislative efforts by saying it would boost voter confidence if there was assurance that only citizens are voting. She remarked on the importance of addressing issues with the current self-certification system which could lead legal immigrants unknowingly casting votes.

Senator Britt also addressed concerns regarding antisemitism on college campuses following attacks on Israel last October 7th. She emphasized President Trump’s executive order establishing a multi-agency task force coordinated through the Civil Rights Division at DOJ to combat antisemitism.

She asked Dhillon if she would take aggressive action via this task force once confirmed as head of the Civil Rights Division. Dhillon affirmed it was a “high priority” stating, “Coming from a religious minority myself, I think it is very important and crucial that the Civil Rights Division step up to defend students on campus.”

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