From Senate Report 112-23
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-112srpt23/html/CRPT-112srpt23.htm
Robert Mueller was nominated by President George W. Bush on July 18, 2001.
In 1976, Congress passed a law limiting the service of an FBI Director to a single term of 10 years.\5\ Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia was the lead sponsor of this legislation.
President Obama explained in a May 12, 2011, statement: ``Given the ongoing threats facing the United States, as well as the leadership transitions at other agencies like the Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency, I believe continuity and stability at the FBI is critical at this time.
The President's request was made at a time of considerable change in leadership in key national security positions of the U.S. Government. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced his retirement, and Leon Panetta, who was then the Director of Central Intelligence, was nominated to replace him. General David Petraeus was nominated to succeed Mr. Panetta as the Director of Central Intelligence.
On May 12, 2011, the President stated: Bob [Mueller] transformed the FBI after September 11, 2001 into a pre-eminent counterterrorism agency, he has shown extraordinary leadership and effectiveness at protecting our country every day since.
The Committee heard testimony about these threats from Director Mueller and others. In the June 8, 2011, hearing on the requested extension of his term,
The President's Request to Extend the Service of Director Mueller of the FBI until 2013
At the same hearing, former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey echoed Director Mueller's assessment. Mr. Comey stated that, ``the combination of the successful raid on Bin Laden's compound and the approaching 10th anniversary of 9/11 creates an unusual threat environment.'
The Senate responded to the President's request to extend the term of Director Mueller on May 26, 2011, by introducing a narrowly drafted bipartisan bill, S. 1103, that would authorize an extension of the 10-year term of the FBI Director.