Lynch Nomination

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

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.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source