Civil and Human Rights Coalition Decries McConnell Move to Further Delay Loretta Lynch Confirmation Vote

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to further delay the confirmation vote for Loretta Lynch’s nomination for Attorney General. The confirmation vote on Lynch has already taken longer than any Attorney General nominee on record:

“The Senate Republican leadership has mishandled the Lynch nomination in every way conceivable. Thanks to Mitch McConnell, this trial by ordeal has moved from the ridiculous to the absurd.

The delays and opposition the Lynch nomination all have one thing in common – they have nothing to do with the qualifications or character of Loretta Lynch. It’s now conceivable that this indisputably well-qualified nominee –who was already twice-confirmed by the Senate for U.S. Attorney – may be confirmed with the lowest total of any nominee for Attorney General.

This is a disgraceful turn of events at a time when the nation desperately needs a continued steady hand and a seamless transition at the Justice Department, particularly regarding civil rights and national security. While this nomination has languished, we’ve received terrorist threats against places like the Mall of America and racial tensions continue to simmer as our national consciousness has turned to deep-seated bias in law enforcement.

Loretta Lynch is a nominee of the highest caliber and for these senators to continue to delay and oppose her confirmation at every turn is an abdication of their responsibility to the American people.”  

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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