Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Urging the Confirmation of Loretta Lynch

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus urging the Senate to vote to confirm Loretta Lynch as the next U.S. Attorney General:

“Thank you so much, Leader Pelosi. Thank you very much, [Rep.] Butterfield, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and also [Rep.] Marcia Fudge, who, as the Leader pointed out, has [led] a sustained effort on behalf of not only the Congressional Black Caucus but of all Americans.

“Leader Pelosi mentioned 165 days. Let me give you a starker figure. No Attorney General of the last [seven] have waited more than ten days to be confirmed after they were reported out of Committee. Loretta Lynch has now waited 55 days – more than all the rest of the Attorneys General since [Attorney General] Thornburgh under [President] Reagan was appointed. That’s the stark figure. Not because she’s not qualified, but because, as was said by Mr. Butterfield, but because [Republicans have] been playing political hostage-taking of someone who everybody, everybody – Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal – says is more than qualified to be the Attorney General by virtue of her intellect, her accomplishments, and, as you say, her character.

“So, I am very pleased to join so many in the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi, and Leader Butterfield in saying to the United States Senate: confirm Loretta Lynch – not for her sake, not for our sake, but for America’s sake. And, in closing, let me thank Eric Holder, who has stayed the course and kept doing his duty until such time as the Senate does their duty.”