WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Loretta E. Lynch to be U.S. Attorney General.
“Loretta Lynch is a deeply respected and qualified nominee whose confirmation should have never fallen prey to partisan politics. At a time when our country requires strong leadership to confront the threat of terrorism and serious law enforcement issues in our communities, I am glad Senate Republicans finally dropped their shameful and divisive tactics that kept her from doing that job for far too long.
“Ms. Lynch’s impressive career led her to become a celebrated leader on civil and constitutional rights for underrepresented groups, and I am pleased she will continue breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings when she is sworn-in as our nation’s first African-American woman to serve as Attorney General.”
Senator Menendez was part of a group of 45 members of the Senate Democratic caucus who sent a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell back in March 5, 2015, urging him to schedule a vote to confirm Loretta Lynch to be the next Attorney General. As of today, Lynch’s confirmation took longer than the first 54 U.S. Attorneys General combined, from President from George Washington to Woodrow Wilson.
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