Loretta Lynch Confirmed As Attorney General

BULLETIN: The U.S. Senate — after a period of considerable partisan rancor and delay — has approved Loretta Lynch to be the next Attorney General of the United States. She will replace Eric Holder.

A statement by Barack Obama, the President of the United States (italics added):

Today, the Senate finally confirmed Loretta Lynch to be America’s next Attorney General – and America will be better off for it.  Loretta has spent her life fighting for the fair and equal justice that is the foundation of our democracy.  As head of the Justice Department, she will oversee a vast portfolio of cases, including counterterrorism and voting rights; public corruption and white-collar crime; judicial recommendations and policy reviews – all of which matter to the lives of every American, and shape the story of our country.  She will bring to bear her experience as a tough, independent, and well-respected prosecutor on key, bipartisan priorities like criminal justice reform.  And she will build on our progress in combatting newer threats like cybercrime.  Loretta’s confirmation ensures that we are better positioned to keep our communities safe, keep our nation secure, and ensure that every American experiences justice under the law.

The New York Times put the vote at 56-43, reporting that 10 Republicans voted to confirm Lynch. She will become the first African American woman to hold the job.

Obama nominated Lynch in November. Although her qualifications never were in much doubt, some Republicans saw her as too friendly to Obama’s immigration policies, especially those instituted by executive action.

 

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