The Senate confirmed Loretta Lynch as the next Attorney General on Thursday, making her the official successor to Eric Holder:
BREAKING Lynch is confirmed as attorney general on the Senate floor via @cspan vote count of 54-43
As a result, Lynch will become the first African-American woman to ever head the Justice Department.
Lynch had been in limbo, waiting for a confirmation vote since November. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) blasted the delay prior to the vote, saying:
“Her nomination has languished longer than the last seven Attorney General nominees combined.”
As a result of the confirmation, the 55-year-old Lynch will finish her tenure as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Prior to the vote, a handful of Republicans expressed support for Lynch. Among them was Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH), who announced her decision to vote for Lynch on Thursday, saying:
“Ms. Lynch is a well-respected U.S. attorney with a proven record and significant experience handling difficult cases,” she said. “After meeting with her and reviewing her qualifications, I believe she is clearly qualified and has the necessary experience to serve as attorney general.”
The vote for Lynch’s confirmation came only after the Senate reached a deal and unanimously passed the human trafficking bill, which was long fought over due to specific provisions about abortion, which Democrats accused Republicans of sneaking in to the legislation.
