[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            LYNCH NOMINATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the official mission statement for the U.S. 
Attorney General reads:

       To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United 
     States according to the law; to ensure public safety against 
     threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership 
     in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment 
     for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and 
     impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

  That is a tremendous responsibility.
  The U.S. Attorney General is more than just a lawyer or an 
administrator. An Attorney General is a defender, a crime fighter, and 
an advocate for Americans' rights. It is not an easy job, but President 
Obama's nominee Loretta Lynch is up to the task.
  Throughout my time in the Senate, I have seen many qualified 
nominees, Republicans and Democrats--people such as Janet Reno, 
Madeline Albright, Colin Powell, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Loretta 
Lynch, a graduate of Harvard Law School, is as qualified as any 
candidate I have ever seen in my 33 years in Congress.
  Ms. Lynch currently serves as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern 
District of New York. She has been confirmed unanimously for that 
office by the Senate twice, most recently in 2010. During her time in 
the U.S. attorney's office, Loretta Lynch has proven herself to be a 
tough crimefighter. She has vigorously prosecuted drug dealers and 
criminals, corrupt politicians, and greedy Wall Street bankers.
  Loretta Lynch is also a guardian of the Constitution. She takes the 
protections afforded to Americans in the Bill of Rights seriously. 
Almost two decades ago she helped bring to justice a Haitian immigrant 
who had been physically and sexually assaulted by police officers 
acting outside the law.
  She has also defended human rights abroad. She was part of the 
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she prosecuted 
suspects accused of one of the most heinous crimes in world history, 
the genocide carried out in Rwanda.
  Whatever the case, whatever the crime, Loretta Lynch has protected 
the innocent and fought the guilty. She has been exemplary in defending 
the interests of the United States and its people. She is an ideal 
candidate to be America's top law enforcement officer. That is why she 
was nominated 121 days ago by President Obama.
  I look forward to the Senate finishing this confirmation as soon as 
possible. The American people need Loretta Lynch in their corner.
  Mr. President, what is the business of the day?

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