buzzz worthy. . .
 |
| Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the first African American woman to hold the seat of U.S. Attorney General on April 23, 2015. |
After a 5 month wait on Thursday afternoon the U.S. Senate finally confirmed Loretta Lynch as Attorney General with a vote of 56 to 43. Lynch, president Obama's nominee, is the successor to Eric Holder and first African American woman to become the nation's top law enforcement official.
The vote was held 166 days after President Barack Obama nominated Lynch in November of 2014.
Pres. Obama said “America will be better off” with Ms. Lynch heading the Justice Department.
Democrats believed the history-making vote was delayed due to Republican opposition spurred by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The GOP largely took issue with a combination of things including Lynch's possible support o Obama's immigration reform, some language in an unrelated abortion bill and partisan quarreling over a human trafficking bill. On Tuesday of this week, unanimous bi-partisan compromise on the human trafficking bill cleared the way for Lynch's confirmation.
Surprisingly, McConnell voted for her along with 9 other Republicans, giving Lynch 8 more votes than the 51 needed. On the other hand, South Carolina Republican Tim Scott, the first Black to serve in Senator since Reconstruction did not back Obama's nomination.
Ms. Lynch will be sworn in as the ne Attorney General on Monday, April 27, 2015.
Surprisingly, McConnell voted for her along with 9 other Republicans, giving Lynch 8 more votes than the 51 needed. On the other hand, South Carolina Republican Tim Scott, the first Black to serve in Senator since Reconstruction did not back Obama's nomination.
Ms. Lynch will be sworn in as the ne Attorney General on Monday, April 27, 2015.
President Obama had this to say in a written statement released on Thursday:
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.