U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Vote to Move Loretta Lynch Confirmation to the Full Senate

U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Vote to Move Loretta Lynch Confirmation to the Full Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory Meeks released the following statement regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote to move Loretta Lynch’s confirmation to be the next U.S. Attorney General to the full senate for a vote:

“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s 12-8 vote to move the nomination of Loretta Lynch to the full Senate for a confirmation vote is good news. It moves the nomination of this eminently qualified and widely respected federal prosecutor to the final stage of the confirmation process. A bipartisan vote in the Judiciary Committee is also a needed departure from the gridlock that has paralyzed many of President Obama’s nominations in recent years. This suggests that a bipartisan affirmative vote may occur in the full Senate, as well.

“While Ms. Lynch has not yet been confirmed, I am hopeful that a floor vote will be held shortly, that further delay will be avoided, and that America’s lead agency for the pursuit and equal administration of justice will have a new leader. Ms. Lynch has been previously confirmed twice by the Senate to serve as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and now should be confirmed as Attorney General of the United States. She would be the first African American woman in American history to hold that post, and her steady guidance would surely benefit our nation.”