Loretta Lynch
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds the Senate for ending a six-month stalemate and confirming Loretta Lynch to be our next U.S. Attorney General.
Though she was forced to wait five months for a 56-43 confirmation vote by the full Senate this is an occasion to celebrate. NASW is confident Attorney General Lynch will be as successful in this high office as she was in her previous position as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
The first African American woman to serve as attorney general, Lynch is one of the most qualified persons to ever become our nation’s top law enforcement officer. Lynch’s record of accomplishment and her character have been widely praised by civil rights and law enforcement officials as well as Republican and Democrat members of Congress.
NASW is confident Lynch will continue Holder’s work in protecting voting rights, making comprehensive reforms in community policing and mass incarceration, and protecting the rights of people from the LGBT community.
Her appointment comes at a critical time. The country is grappling with issues ranging from immigration reform, human trafficking, domestic terrorism and falling public confidence in America’s criminal justice system. Her confirmation now means that we have a strong attorney general who has the experience and legal skills to continue the outstanding work in those areas that the outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder began.
In particular, NASW is confident Lynch will continue Holder’s work in protecting voting rights, making comprehensive reforms in community policing and mass incarceration, and protecting the rights of people from the LGBT community.
NASW also hopes the Lynch confirmation signals an end to the gridlock and obstructionism that created the inordinate delay of her appointment, and that of many other of President Obama’s judicial nominees.
For more information on how NASW addresses social justice, criminal justice, and human rights issues email Mel Wilson at mwilson@naswdc.org.
