Confirmed: Loretta Lynch, Attorney General

By Aura Bogado Apr 23, 2015

After a historic battle, Loretta Lynch has been confirmed by the Senate to become Attorney General. In a 56-to-43 vote, Lynch is now approved to lead the Department of Justice. 

Senate confirmations can take time—but Lynch’s confirmation has been unusually long. President Obama first nominated her in November, but Republican lawmakers stalled a vote for 166 days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tied Lynch’s confirmation to an abortion provision in an unrelated anti-trafficking bill. After the bill was cleared in the Senate Wednesday, it paved the way for Lynch to finally be poised for her confirmation today.

Loretta Lynch will the first black woman Attorney General, taking the seat from Eric Holder who announced his departure in September.