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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18), Rodney Davis (IL-13), and Mary Miller (IL-15) issued the following statement upon news reports that President Joe Biden planned to terminate U.S. Attorneys John Lausch, of the Northern District of Illinois, and John Milhiser, of the Central District of Illinois:

“While U.S. Attorneys ultimately serve at the pleasure of the President, we believe it would be reckless and irresponsible for President Biden to fire U.S. Attorneys Lausch and Milhiser without successors nominated and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. U.S. Attorney Lausch is currently pursuing a historic and major public corruption investigation involving a years-long bribery scheme that has implicated former House Speaker Michael Madigan and others. U.S. Attorney Milhiser recently announced an indictment against former State Senator Sam McCann for criminal charges, including fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

“There is precedent for allowing a U.S. Attorney to remain in office until successors are confirmed, and we strongly believe both should be allowed to do so. We urge President Biden to permit U.S. Attorneys Lausch and Milhiser to remain in their jobs to conclude their ongoing corruption investigations and criminal cases.”

U.S. Attorney Lausch has been spearheading the federal corruption investigation into the years-long ComEd bribery scheme that has implicated former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. U.S. Attorney Milhiser recently announced an indictment against former State Senator Sam McCann for fraudulent use of campaign funds, money laundering, and tax evasion.