[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            LYNCH NOMINATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, let's talk a little bit about Loretta Lynch. 
We have now passed the first 100 days of the Republican-controlled 
Senate. We all remember the lofty promises made by the Republican 
leader and his party when they assumed power. But we are still 
struggling to finish two issues that should have been resolved weeks 
ago.
  The Democrats are ready to move forward on the Lynch nomination and 
the so-called doc fix. This doc fix, which we are going to talk about a 
little later, is so important not only for the doctors but also for 
their patients. Medicare is an important part of our health care 
delivery system, and it benefits older Americans.
  This day marks the 157th day since President Obama first nominated 
Loretta Lynch as Attorney General. For more than 5 months, Democrats 
have been ready to take up and confirm the nomination. Back in November 
of last year, when Loretta Lynch was first nominated, the Republican 
leader said: ``Ms. Lynch will receive fair consideration by the Senate. 
And her nomination should be considered in the new Congress through 
regular order.''
  I am not making this up. This is what the Republican leader said. I 
quoted him verbatim.
  Even though the Democrats were ready to move the nomination before 
the elections, some Republicans wanted a little more time to look at 
it. We agreed to that. We based this upon what the Republican leader 
said--that Ms. Lynch would receive fair consideration by the Senate.
  Well, that hasn't happened. January came and went, and Loretta 
Lynch's nomination never got a confirmation vote on the floor. 
Democrats were ready to confirm a new Attorney General, but Republicans 
weren't and aren't.
  February and March flew by and Republicans still aren't ready. Now we 
are half way through April, and once again, Senate Democrats are ready 
and willing to confirm a new Attorney General, but the Republicans are 
not.
  Ms. Lynch has a spotless record. No one can question her integrity, 
her background, and there is no question that she should not have to 
wait any longer.

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