Statement by the President on the Confirmation of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General

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.
 

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.