On November 8, 2014, President Obama nominated Loretta Lynch to be the nation’s 83rd Attorney General. If confirmed, Lynch would be the nation’s first African-American woman to head the Justice Department.
Lynch currently serves as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. She is impeccably credentialed and has had an extraordinary career of public service. In advance of her January hearing before the Judiciary Committee, LDF sent a letter of support for the nomination: “At this momentous time for the Department of Justice and the quest for racial justice in our society, it is imperative that the Department is led by someone with a steadfast commitment to equal justice under the law. We believe Loretta Lynch is uniquely suited to assume this critical role.”
Today’s vote was 12 to 8, with Republican Senators Orrin Hatch (UT), Lindsey Graham (SC) and Jeff Flake (AZ) joining the eight Democrats on the Judiciary Committee in supporting the nomination. The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a final vote.
Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of LDF stated: “We are extremely pleased that the nomination, pending for months now, is finally moving forward. There is nothing but praise for Ms. Lynch’s stellar qualifications and exemplary record. Senators should give Ms. Lynch an up-or-down vote on the merits, and not use her nomination to try to score political points on extraneous matters. The vote to confirm her will be historic and it should happen as soon as possible. Before we look back to commemorate next week’s 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, the Senate should confirm Ms. Lynch and make history today with this significant milestone.”
