After five months of delay and vicious political sparring, the nation finally has its first Black female attorney general. Loretta Lynch was confirmed yesterday by a Senate vote of 56 to 43, which included 10 Republicans voting for her. The confirmation of Lynch to replace Eric Holder was met by stiff Republican resistance with some saying her agreement with President Obama’s immigration policy and use of executive orders was tantamount to being lawless.
In the run-up to the vote, both Lynch’s gender and race came into discussion with many saying that she was being treated unfairly. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that Senate Republicans were making Lynch “sit in the back of the bus” by not moving forward on her confirmation.
Shortly after the vote, President Obama made the following statement, “America will be better off for the Senate finally confirming Lynch, which will ensure that we are better positioned to keep our communities safe, keep our nation secure, and ensure that every American experiences justice under the law.”
With her confirmation as attorney general, Lynch will inherit a host of serious issues. These include the continuing debate over policing in minority communities; as well as the scope and limits of presidential executive powers. However, all agree that Lynch is well qualified to hold her new office.
