Des Moines Sun

David Waterman and Leif Olson have been confirmed as U.S. Attorneys for Iowa’s Southern and Northern Districts, respectively, following a Senate vote. The confirmations come after months of delays in the Senate, according to statements from Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.

Senator Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, played a key role in moving both nominations forward. Waterman’s nomination was advanced by the committee with a 20-2 vote, while Olson’s nomination passed with a 12-10 vote. The full Senate confirmed both nominees as part of a larger package by a 51-47 margin.

“After months of unprecedented Democrat obstruction, Republicans successfully confirmed Iowa’s highly qualified U.S. Attorney nominees. Mr. Waterman and Mr. Olson will help keep Iowans safe and faithfully serve our great state with honor and distinction,” Grassley said. “Iowa needed its top federal law enforcement officials in place, and Senate Republicans delivered.”

Senator Ernst added, “I am proud to see Iowans David Waterman and Leif Olson confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s Southern and Northern Districts. They have both served our state and nation selflessly, and I am thankful for Senator Grassley’s work to move these nominations forward, so they can continue to work diligently for Iowans.”

Waterman is a fifth-generation attorney at Lane & Waterman LLP in Davenport and previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Florida's Middle District, gaining additional experience through clerkships on federal courts in Iowa and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Olson has served as Iowa’s Chief Deputy Attorney General under Brenna Bird, led special litigation efforts for Texas’ Attorney General, advised the U.S. Department of Labor on policy matters, and has experience as both a trial and appellate lawyer.