Lame Duck Attorney General Nomination A ‘Mistake’: New WV Senator
The attorney general nomination of New York prosecutor Loretta Lynch is sitting wrong with at least one newly-elected member of the United States Senate who will not have a chance to vote on the nomination, should it proceed to a vote during the upcoming lame duck session between the mid-term elections and the swearing in of the new Congress.
U.S. Sen.-Elect Shelley Capito made the comments on Fox News Sunday, calling the lame duck attorney general nomination of Loretta Lynch a “mistake.”
“With the rapid change on both houses I think you’ll see a lot of this push to the first of the year. That will give us time for debate and deliberation that the Senate hasn’t had the last four years…. If we’re gonna have a era of good faith here, we need to begin with the confirmation process for one of the most important jobs in the country.”
Fox News reports that the attorney general nomination of Loretta Lynch was already causing consternation among the Republicans who will take over control of the Senate in January from its current Democratic control under Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, who has been the majority leader for Obama’s nearly six years in office.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was among the Republicans to express his displeasure with President Barack Obama’s decision to nominate Lynch before the current session of Congress ends, directing a tweet at the president.
Democrat senators who just lost their seats shouldn’t confirm new Attorney General. Should be vetted by new Congress http://t.co/y8Rplz3tpd
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) November 7, 2014
But in the same Fox News article, outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder — who has agreed to stay in the position until his replacement is confirmed by the U.S. Senate — said he believed Lynch would be confirmed in her attorney general nomination.
“Loretta Lynch is an extraordinarily talented attorney, a dedicated public servant, and a leader of considerable experience and consummate skill… I am certain that she will be an outstanding attorney general, and I am delighted to join President Obama in congratulating her on this prestigious appointment.”
Following Tuesday’s (November 4) general election, control of the Senate went to Republicans with 52 seats to the Democrats’ 44 seats. There are also two Independent Senators who caucus with Democrats. Previously, the Democrats had a majority at 53 seats to the Republicans’ 45 and again the two Independents who caucus with Democrats.
